CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is expected to suit up for Cleveland’s crucial Game 5 matchup against the Indiana Pacers, despite nursing a sprained left ankle.
The Pacers, holding a 3-1 lead in the series, have a chance to eliminate the Cavs Tuesday night in Cleveland — a city where they’ve already claimed two wins this series.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said about an hour and a half before tipoff that Mitchell participated in the team’s morning shootaround. “We know how big this game is. I can’t say for sure, but I’m hopeful he’ll play,” Atkinson shared.
Mitchell hinted he might be available by posting the team’s rallying cry, #LetEmKnow, on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day.
The All-Star guard sat out the second half of Sunday’s 129-109 loss in Indiana after appearing to aggravate his ankle during halftime warmups.
Mitchell originally injured the ankle on April 6, after stepping on Sacramento’s Keon Ellis’ foot and rolling it during a game. He missed the Cavs’ final four regular season games but has been strong in the playoffs, averaging 28.9 points per game, with five outings of 30 points or more.
