Report: Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell Not Expected To Miss Game 2 vs. Pacers After Laboring At End Of Game 1

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was laboring at the end of Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. 

However, Mitchell is not expected to miss Game 2, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. 

Mitchell played 33 minutes in Game 1. He finished with 33 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting 13-of-30 from the field, 1-of-11 from 3 and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line. 

The Pacers won Game 1 by a final score of 121-112. They now have home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series. 

The Cavaliers must win Game 2 on Tuesday to avoid going down 2-0.

“This is nothing to freak out about,” Mitchell said after Game 1. “Understanding that it’s a long game. They made some shots, and you got to come in and give them credit. To make shots on the road, Game 1, set that tone, that’s credit to them.

“But never hanging your head. Don’t trip. [It’s] pretty much been the message the whole time. Tonight, understanding that look we didn’t play our best basketball. But we’ll be better.”

Darius Garland didn’t play in Game 1 because of his left big toe injury. He’s being listed as questionable for Game 2. 

Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter are also listed as questionable for Game 2. Mobley sprained his ankle in Game 1, while Hunter injured his thumb. 

“It’s a difficult blow, but I think we realized we can do it with the guys we have no matter what,” Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said. “We did it in the Heat series, not to talk about the past, but we’re able to overcome deficits of players being out by the players that we have.

“Kenny’s talking about it all year, about how we have a deep roster. We have a lot of guys that are able to step up in the right moment.”

Mitchell may have to play every second of Game 2 if Garland, Mobley and Hunter are out for the Cavaliers to win.