The Cleveland Cavaliers are taking on the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. It is the second straight game that these two teams have played each other. Cleveland sits just a game back from the Knicks for the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta sits in a tie for fifth, so this game is crucial for seeding. Donovan Mitchell played against the Hawks in the first matchup on Wednesday. In that game, he finished with 31 points on 12-19 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.
However, the Cavaliers have made a decision about Mitchell’s availability for the rematch against Atlanta. He is listed as out for this game due to right ankle injury management.
Donovan Mitchell to Miss Crucial Cavaliers Game
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell drives the ball in a game against the Heat. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Mitchell has played in nine of the last 10 games that the Cavaliers have played. He missed a game against the Grizzlies because of that ankle injury. Mitchell is not the only starter to be ruled out for this critical, late-season game. Jarrett Allen is also ruled out for this game due to right knee injury management.
This season, Mitchell is averaging around 28 points per game, which is the second-highest number of his career. Mitchell is also shooting just over 48 percent from the field, which is close to a career-high, as well. He is playing at a first-team All-NBA level.
The Hawks will have all of their starters available for this game, which means the backups for Cleveland will have to step up in order to win this game. The Cavaliers have won four straight games and four of their last seven. They have the sixth-best offense in the NBA.
Donovan Mitchell is Still Leading the Cavaliers
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Despite the deadline deal for James Harden, Mitchell is still the leader of Cleveland. He is still the top offensive option for the Cavaliers. Cleveland is trying to avoid playing Detroit in the second round of the playoffs, which would mean they would be the third seed.
Cleveland cannot fall further than four in the standings, which means they will at least have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Keeping Mitchell healthy for the playoffs is the Cavaliers’ top priority, even over seeding for the final regular-season games.
The Cavaliers are facing a massive amount of pressure this postseason. If they do not win a championship, massive changes to the roster could be coming. Harden is due a contract extension, and will likely get it. Allen could be on the move.
Evan Mobley is in the first year of a five-year, $269 million contract extension. The Cavaliers are a second apron team in the luxury tax. That means that anything less than winning a championship this season is considered a failure. Mitchell needs to lead the team to more postseason success, as Harden’s track record in that regard is very poor.
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