Donovan Mitchell admitted the Cavaliers had let down the city of Cleveland but insisted they will be back next season.
The Cavs lost 114-105 to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night to exit the playoffs in the Eastern Conference semi-finals 4-1.
It was a crushing end to what has been a wonderful season for Cleveland, who won 64 games and went into the post season as one of the favourites to win the overall crown.
Final. pic.twitter.com/4DCeppETjP
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2025
They held a 19-point advantage in Game 5 but couldn’t hold on.
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Mitchell rues poor home record
“I love playing in that arena,” Mitchell said. “That energy, that crowd. We were 0-3 at home, let the city down. This place is special. This place is really special and we didn’t get it done.”
Mitchell is adamant there won’t be a repeat in 2026.
“I’ll go to bat for every guy in that locker room,” Mitchell said. “Winning is not easy. Some things have to go right. You got to play well, got to capitalize on opportunities.
“We have a window with this group, I believe in everybody in here, we believe in each other. That’s what sucks, we’re a good team. And for five games … we didn’t show what we’re capable of. And ultimately that’s what we’re judged on.
“So get in the gym, weight room, nutrition, whatever it is, and get back at it. Because y’all are going to write us off man. We’ll be back. Let the city down, let each other down. But we’ll be back.”
Injuries undermine Cavs’ challenge
Mitchell can at least claim to have done his bit, averaging 34.2 points in the series despite a nagging ankle injury.
But the absences of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter at various points undermined their challenge.
“You just wish you were a whole, but I don’t think that’s an excuse,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I don’t want to say ‘oh that’s the reason, that’s not the reason.’ They were the better team.
“The truth of the matter is we didn’t get to the level we wanted to get to. So, I’m not pleased with that. And we’re not celebrating the season, if that all makes sense. But I do think we made strides. I think we took a jump.
“Now we got to figure out this last piece, how to get over this hump. And I was quite honestly expecting more, especially coming off the [first-round] Miami series.”
