Donovan Mitchell reveals which moment vs. Indiana Pacers changed the course of the series: “I should have gotten open”
History has shown how one play can alter the entire trajectory of a series. Whether it’s a severe injury, a made or missed shot or a botched pass, the smallest details can have a significant impact on the outcome of a playoff matchup.
For Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers, that moment came in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
After the Pacers shocked the Cavaliers on their home floor in Game 1, Mitchell’s team looked poised to deliver payback and equalize the series, as they led by as many as 20 points and were in front by seven, 119-112, with less than a minute remaining.
Unfortunately for the Cavs, they would not score another point the rest of the way while the Pacers rattled off eight straight, capped by a triple by Tyrese Haliburton with 1.1 seconds left that secured them a 120-119 victory.
While many instances led to the heartbreaking loss, Mitchell pointed out a few plays that stand out in his mind that tilted the game — and ultimately the series — in their opponent’s favor.
Failed inbound attempts
With All-Star point guard Darius Garland nursing a toe injury that kept him out of that game, the ball-handling and playmaking duties were left to Mitchell and Ty Jerome. While the former did a spectacular job for most of the game, scoring 48 points, he emphasized that the team’s failure to complete clean inbound passes stood out like a sore thumb.
“The one that sticks out to me — the inbounds pass — from Game 2. Both of them. The one where I elbowed (Aaron) Nesmith in the face and the one where I couldn’t get open, so Max had to throw it to Ty,” Mitchell recalled.
The first botched inbound occurred with 45 seconds remaining and the Cavs up by five, 119-114. Mitchell took the inbound pass from Max Strus near the sideline and immediately attempted to shake off Nesmith’s relentless defensive pressure. In the process, he unintentionally caught the Pacers guard in the face with an elbow, leading to an offensive foul.
