Sunday’s TNT broadcast captured the exact moment Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell appeared to hurt hurt his ankle.
Mitchell did not play in the second half of Sunday’s Game 4 second-round clash between the Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The six-time All-Star was ruled out after halftime due to an ankle injury.
The TNT broadcast’s backboard camera caught what appeared to be the first instance of Mitchell sensing something was seriously wrong with his ankle. Mitchell came out before the end of halftime to start warming up for the third quarter. As he tried to take a jump shot at the top of the key, his left ankle appeared to act up.
Donovan Mitchell is doubtful to return after suffering an ankle injury 😬pic.twitter.com/HcHRJHWn6M
— Backcourt Alerts (@BackcourtAlerts) May 12, 2025
Mitchell missed the Cavaliers’ last four regular season games due to an injury to the same ankle. He may have reaggravated the injury midway through Game 4.
When asked about Mitchell’s status for Game 5, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said he had “no idea” at this point. The Cavs star is scheduled to undergo an MRI.
Game 4 could not have gone more poorly for Cleveland. Fans were already clowning the Cavs after their historically bad first half against the Pacers. Mitchell getting hurt with Sunday’s game already out of reach made things that much worse.
The Pacers cruised to a 129-109 win in Game 4 to get themselves a game away from returning to the Eastern Conference Finals.
