Mar 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after scoring to end the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

'It’s Pressure From Within' – Cleveland Cavaliers are Under the Most Pressure This Season, Per Former Franchise Star

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 7:12 AM ET

LeBron James strongly believes that his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, is under the most pressure to win the Larry O’Brien trophy this season because of their star-studded roster.

The Cleveland Cavaliers raised expectations last year when they finished with a 64-18 record in the regular season. However, they suffered another second-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

“I think it’s pressure from within,” James said on the Mind the Game podcast. ” I think they saw the success they had last year, and they play a great style of basketball. But if I were someone from the outside looking in, they’re putting pressure on themselves to make the next jump. They’re probably thinking, ‘It could have been us vs. OKC in the Finals.’ So we are going to see if guys have made the next step.”

May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) returns the ball against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

“Evan (Mobley) had a great year last year; does he make another step forward? (Darius Garland) was hurt last year; does he come back playing well? How much are they gonna get out of Lonzo Ball? We know what we’re gonna get out of Donovan, but how is it gonna come together? At this point, it’s not about the regular season for them,” he added.

Cleveland Cavaliers News: NBA writer shares insight on Donovan Mitchell’s mindset shift after playoff disappointment

In a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, Andscape’s Marc J. Spears told the crew that Donovan Mitchell took the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second-round exit harder than anyone on the team.

May 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

“He was crushed after that loss at the end of last season. He told me it took like a month to get over it. He went on the road with (Coco)…and then just got back in the lab,” Spears said about Mitchell.

“He text the core four, the rest of his teammates: one more rep, step, lift, to push and work hard, and the Cavs actually came a couple weeks earlier than expected to training camp.”