Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers Snap Losing Streak, But Donovan Mitchell’s Health Remains a Concern
The Cleveland Cavaliers put an end to their four-game losing streak on Sunday with a dominant win over the Utah Jazz, but the bigger story surrounding the team remains the health of star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell’s Struggles Raise Red Flags
Earlier this month, Mitchell suffered a groin injury that forced him to miss a couple of games. Initially, it didn’t seem like a major issue, but his performance in March suggests otherwise. In nine games this month, Mitchell is averaging just 20.3 points per game—his lowest monthly mark this season—while posting alarmingly low shooting percentages of 33.3% from the field, 16.7% from three, and 82.9% from the free-throw line.
His struggles have been particularly glaring from beyond the arc, where he has missed his last 13 three-point attempts and is just 1-for-19 over his last several games. Against the Phoenix Suns last week, he endured a brutal 2-for-18 shooting night, fueling concerns that his groin injury is still affecting him.
Rest or Risk?
The Cavaliers are still in control of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, so there’s no immediate urgency to push Mitchell back to full workload. But with the playoffs fast approaching, the team has to seriously evaluate whether he needs rest or if he can work through the struggles.
Cleveland fans remember all too well how Mitchell’s injuries impacted the team last postseason. The last thing the Cavs need is for their best player to be operating at less than 100% when the playoffs begin.
What’s Next for the Cavs?
If Mitchell’s struggles are injury-related, Cleveland might need to shut him down for a short period or, at the very least, manage his minutes carefully. The team’s championship hopes hinge on him being at full strength, and risking further injury in meaningless regular-season games could be costly.
With less than a month until the postseason, the Cavaliers have a decision to make. They’ve proven they can win without Mitchell at his best, but they won’t make a deep playoff run unless he’s fully healthy. If something is wrong, the time to address it is now—not when it’s too late.
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