Donovan Mitchell Admits Cavaliers Losing To Pacers ‘Definitely Messed Me Up A Little Bit’

The Cleveland Cavaliers were the first seed in the East last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and looked like legitimate title contenders. 

However, the Indiana Pacers beat the Cavaliers in the second round in five games, winning Games 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the series. 

During a recent interview with Taylor Rooks, Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell opened up about Cleveland getting eliminated by Indiana. 

“I get paid a lot of money to play basketball, but what comes with that is the criticism of like, hey, can Donovan do it? Like that’s going to be the question because when we win, it’s that’s just how it works,” Mitchell said. “I think there’s a world where people are definitely excited to see you fail. I think that’s just sports. I don’t think that’s just I think it’s life, but also sports. I also know there’s a bunch of people in Cleveland and other cities I know rooting for it to happen. So for me not really getting consumed by that and understanding like, hey, you know, this loss definitely messed me up a little bit, you know what I mean?

“More so than most years. And that’s what it’s going to take for it to not happen again. And I made the joke after the end of the year like this could happen eight more times. I’m not going to stop.”

Mitchell had an excellent 2024-25 season. He averaged 24.0 points and made the All-Star team and First Team All-NBA squad. 

In nine games in the 2025 playoffs against the Heat and Pacers, Mitchell averaged 29.6 points. The six-time All-Star has yet to reach the conference finals in the NBA with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. 

Mitchell is averaging 26.2 points with the Cavaliers. He will make $46.4 million next season. 

Cleveland is expected to keep its “Core Four” of Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland.