May 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts during the second half of game five against the Indiana Pacers in the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Ex-Lakers, Clippers Guard’s Bold Donovan Mitchell Statement After All-NBA News

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 24, 2025 1:12 PM ET

While awards like MVP and Defensive Player of the Year are talked about the most, perhaps the most important award that a player can get is an All-NBA selection. Even though it's not individual like those other awards, it recognizes players for being among the 15 best in the NBA and has major financial incentives behind it.

With the first four spots on the All-NBA First Team being locked up between Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was some debate as to who could end up with the fifth spot. After the votes were tallied, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell took the spot over Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.

A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2024-25 Kia All-NBA Team.

Voters selected five players for the First Team, five players for the Second Team and five players for the Third Team at any position.

Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1UMJIEWiOy
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 23, 2025

Being the best player on the best team in the Eastern Conference definitely helped his case, but former Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers guard Patrick Beverley chimed in on Mitchell's selection. When asked about guarding Mitchell, Beverley made a bold statement about the All-NBA guard.

“Historically, my numbers against Donovan Mitchell are some of my best numbers I had in the NBA. And I'm just giving you guys numbers, numbers never lie. I'm sending him left every time, I'm in that handle, I'm picking him up full [court]...,” Beverley said during a livestream of the Knicks-Pacers game.

“Historically my numbers against Donovan Mitchell are some of the best numbers I had in the NBA”

- Pat Bev

( @WatchPlayback )

pic.twitter.com/h2tipbi82m
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 24, 2025

According to Stathead, Mitchell holds a 9-3 record against Beverley during the regular season, and has averaged 30.1 points per game and shot 50.6% from the field. While the numbers with Beverley as the primary defender could be different, it seems as though Mitchell had no struggle going up against teams with Beverley on them.

However, Beverley is as confident a defender as anyone, with three All-Defensive team selections in his career.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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