Donovan Mitchell’s 40-Point Night Not Enough as Cavs Eliminated by Pacers

Donovan Mitchell did everything a superstar could in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He dropped 40 points, shooting 14-of-24 from the field and sinking five three-pointers, trying to will the Cleveland Cavaliers back into the series. But the Indiana Pacers’ balanced attack proved too much, and the Cavs fell 113–107, ending their postseason run. Mitchell carried the offensive load for Cleveland, especially in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points in the final frame. However, a few costly turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch allowed Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to seal the game. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was visibly emotional postgame, saying, “Donovan gave us everything. Every single ounce.” Darius Garland contributed 17 points but struggled with foul trouble. Evan Mobley anchored the defense with four blocks but was outmatched by Indiana’s physical frontcourt. “It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Mitchell said. “We believed we were built for a deeper run.” The Cavs finish a record-setting season (64–18) with a bitter taste, falling short of their first Conference Finals appearance since 2018. Despite the disappointment, Cleveland’s core is young, hungry, and talented. As Mitchell noted, “This group’s just getting started. The next step is coming.”