2024-03-18 00:22:51
Donovan Mitchell all but confirmed this after the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Houston Rockets on Saturday evening, but the All-Star shooting guard will be OUT as the Cavs take on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
However, the injury that is keeping Mitchell sidelined (per NBA’s Injury Report) is a nasal fracture.
Mitchell caught an elbow from Cavs center Tristan Thompson as he came down from grabbing a rebound. Mitchell immediately fell to the ground grabbing at his face and Clevleand’s head trainer rushed over to get a towel over it. He did briefly return to the game but had a tissue in his nose attempting to contain the bleeding.
This fracture is the latest injury that has ruined Mitchell’s MVP-level season. Mitchell admitted that he returned too soon from his knee bone bruise and said “I thought I was ready.” He’s averaging just 13.5 points shot 31% (9-29) from the field, 41% (7-17) from behind the arc, and has visibly had trouble driving to the hoop.
Mar 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Monday against the Pacers will be the 10th game Mitchell has missed since the All-Star Break and his absence has clearly affected the Cavaliers as a team.
As much as the Cavs need Mitchell on the floor right now, they need him for the playoffs even more. The team needs to figure out a way to hold a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference while Mitchell gets healthy.
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