Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with guard James Harden (1) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with guard James Harden (1) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
There is no denying that without Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a series against the New York Knicks. Spida insists he is healthy despite a slow start and the guard faces mounting questions about his fatigue as the team falls into a 2-0 hole against the Knicks.
In the first half of Game 2 on Thursday, Mitchell scored only seven points. Then he came back in the second half and scored 19 of his 26 points. But it was too late, as the Cavs lost the game 109-93. There have now been rising concerns regarding Spida's health.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has also been seeing what everyone else has, but Mitchell has continued to maintain that he is 100%.
Feb 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a play during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Feb 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a play during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
After Game 2 in New York, Atkinson had some things to say about Mitchell.
“After halftime, I thought he was moving well. Donovan, he’s not complaining about it to me. I did see him trying to work through it — probably some stiffness. But I asked him if he wanted to come out in the fourth quarter, and he’s like, ‘I’m fine,’ so I think he’s fine.”
Mitchell has not only denied any injury, but he has also denied that he could be tired after playing 16 games in these playoffs. The Cavs have played the most playoff games, and tiredness is one factor that can’t be denied in their case.
In Game 1, the Cavs gave up their 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, and Mitchell barely took a shot down the stretch and continued into overtime. He was again slow in Game 2. But when a reporter asked him if he was tired, he denied it.
“We’re not tired,” Mitchell said. “We’re not tired...ready to go for Game 3.”
His confidence is sure to inspire hope in Cavs fans' minds about their chances in this playoff series against the Knicks.
Donovan Mitchell Confident Despite Going Down 0-2 in The Series
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the most resilient team in this playoff. They have successfully eliminated their opponents, and not to forget the Detroit Pistons, the top team in the Eastern Conference, in Game 7s.
After the Knicks took a 2-0 lead, Mitchell was asked about the sense of urgency in the Cavs locker room.
“This isn’t our first time at it,” Mitchell told reporters.
“This isn’t our first time facing adversity. We’ve been through two Game 7s, so being down 2-0 is not the biggest challenge.”
In the ECSF against the Pistons, the Cavaliers trailed the series 0-2. They came back and won three consecutive games and took out Detroit in Game 7.
Coming back from this is not an impossible task. However, it is worth considering that the Knicks have the best net rating in this playoff. Moreover, New York is far less tired than the Cavs.
Are you buying Mitchell's claim that the Cavs are not tired? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Nandjee Ranjan
Edited by
Surjo Ray