Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell guts out 33 points in game 1 despite visible knee discomfort

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't just lose their opening game — they might have picked up a more serious issue. Donovan Mitchell had some standout plays, but things took a turn late in the match. He began to slow down and looked like he was struggling, which sparked some concerns. With the Pacers gaining momentum, Cleveland's focus is shifting from just bouncing back to also worrying about Mitchell's health and what’s next.

Mitchell’s knee discomfort raises concerns as Cavaliers drop Game 1 to PacersThe Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a tough 121–112 loss at home to the Indiana Pacers. Even though Donovan Mitchell scored an impressive 33 points, his knee issues in the fourth quarter have fans worried about his health and the team's chances in the playoffs.


With 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Mitchell has now scored over 30 points in eight straight playoff openers, breaking Michael Jordan's record of seven. However, his shooting was off, hitting just 13 of 30 shots and only 1 of 11 from three-point range. In the fourth quarter, he looked like he was struggling, frequently grabbing his knee and falling behind in transition, indicating he might have been trying to conserve energy due to some pain. This is a bit alarming, especially since the Cavaliers had managed his playing time during the regular season to ensure he was fresh for the playoffs.

After the game, Mitchell brushed off the seriousness of his knee problem, saying, "They came in here and handled business. We would love to go 16-0, but that's not how this works. Nothing to hang our heads about. We'll be fine and we'll be better." His comments suggest confidence in his ability to recover and the team's capacity to bounce back in the series.

The Cavaliers played without their All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who sat out his third straight playoff game because of a toe injury. His absence was noticeable on both sides of the court. Offensively, they missed his scoring and playmaking, and defensively, he could have put more pressure on Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton took advantage of this, racking up 22 points, 13 assists, and making key plays when it mattered most.

Indiana's offense was on fire, hitting 52.8% from three-point land (19 out of 36), while Cleveland struggled at 23.7% (9 out of 38). Andrew Nembhard topped the Pacers with 23 points, nailing 5 of 6 from deep, and all five starters hit double digits. Their well-rounded scoring and sharp shooting were key to their Game 1 win.

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Before Game 2, the Cavaliers need to adjust a few things. It's vital to watch Mitchell's knee, and if Garland comes back, that would really strengthen their backcourt. They should focus on improving their three-point shooting and defensive rotations. Game 2 is on Tuesday night, and the Cavaliers want to level the series before going to Indiana.