Donovan Mitchell Issues Major Update on Disturbing Eye Injury 

Most players couldn’t score 42 points while barely being able to see out of one eye, but Donovan Mitchell is not most players. Even though he had a bruised left eye that had been bothering him for a few days, the Cleveland Cavaliers star played on Tuesday night and had one of the most courageous individual performances of the NBA season.

Unexpectedly, the injury was caused by his own teammate. Mitchell got a bruise on his left eye when Evan Mobley accidentally hit him during a team practice. Even though there was obvious swelling, Mitchell talked about the situation honestly after the Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 136–131.

“I can see now, so finally, it’s been a few games. It’s good, it’s been an interesting few days. Doctors say that I’m fine, but if I close this eye, it’s definitely a little blurry. It worked out tonight, so I’m getting better… This looks worse than it is,” he said.

Playing at such a high level despite impaired vision underscores his elite scoring ability this season. He has scored an average of 28.3 points in 63 games, which puts him in the top tier of the NBA’s scoring conversation.

Mitchell was unrelenting against Orlando in particular. He made 14 of 22 shots from the field, 3 of 7 from three, and 11 of 11 from the free-throw line.

He also made a driving floater with 13.7 seconds left that sealed the game. It was his sixth game of the season with 40 points, which is tied for fourth most in the league.

Cleveland’s win also has real effects on its chances of making the playoffs. The Cavaliers are 2.5 games behind the third-seeded New York Knicks with a record of 45-27.

Donovan Mitchell’s Eye Injury Puts NBA’s 65-Game Rule Under the Microscope

That push for the playoffs has a clock ticking down. Mitchell needs to play three more games to reach the NBA’s 65-game limit, which is the number that determines who can win MVP, All-NBA, and other big end-of-season awards. Failing to meet that mark disqualifies a player from postseason awards.

“It’s for the right reasons, but it’s tough,” Mitchell said after Saturday’s win in New Orleans. “It’s not like guys are resting and missing these games. These are legitimate injuries, so it’s something to look at for sure because there’s no way certain guys should be in this scenario.”

Mitchell said, “I missed out on it two years ago, so I’m biased to say there shouldn’t be [a rule].”

He was talking about how he didn’t get to be considered for awards in 2023-24 even though he had a great season.

He isn’t the only player facing this issue. Cade Cunningham, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Tyrese Maxey are all in danger. The rule that was supposed to stop load management is now punishing players for just breaking down.