Donovan Mitchell already sounds prepared to get back to work for next season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers star battled through an ankle injury to play in Game 5 of his team’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers. But Mitchell’s game-high 35 points were not enough in the do-or-die contest as the Pacers won 114-105.
After losing the series 4-1, Mitchell was seen contemplating the loss by himself inside an empty Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mitchell addressed reporters shortly after his self-reflection time.
Asked about whether or not he would endorse the Cavaliers to “run it back” with the same team, Mitchell responded that he vouches for every player in Cleveland’s locker room. He ended his response with a promise, seemingly addressed to both the team’s fans and doubters.
“Get in the gym, weight room, nutrition, whatever it is,” said Mitchell.
“Get back at it, because y’all gonna write us the f–k off, man. But we’ll be back. Let the city down, let each other down. But we’ll be back.”
Mitchell walked out of his press conference right after his answer.
The Cavaliers had a historically dominant regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record to secure homecourt advantage through the Eastern Conference Finals. Many expected the Cavaliers to match up against the 60-win Boston Celtics to find out which team emerges out of the East.
But with Jayson Tatum suffering a brutal season-ending injury and the Cavaliers falling well short against the Pacers, the East’s pecking order has been turned on its head.
