The 2024–25 season started strong for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They looked like contenders from the jump, putting together multiple long winning streaks throughout the season.
So, there was always a championship hope from the beginning. But Head Coach Kenny Atkinson always remained grounded because he knew the postseason would be the main challenge, which is where things fell apart for Cleveland.
Months later, shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has shared his candid thoughts recently on the team’s early playoff exit. It hurts him most since he gave his all to make a 35-point game.
Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell Admits Pacers’ Playoff Win Hit Hard
Mitchell didn’t hold back after the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. From the start, it seemed like this was destined to be a season where Cleveland made a deep run. The Cavaliers notably won 16 consecutive games in 2025, the longest streak of the season.
Despite being the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers couldn’t carry that momentum into the playoffs. They lost the series 4–1 to Indiana, ending their season in disappointing fashion. Despite battling through a calf and ankle injury, Mitchell dropped 35 points in Game 5, an impressive effort despite the outcome of the game.
Speaking candidly about the emotional toll with Bleacher Report, Mitchell said, “I get paid a lot of money to play basketball, but what comes with that is the criticism of like, ‘hey, can Donovan do it?’ Like, that’s going to be the question because when we win, that’s just how it works. I think there’s a world where people are definitely excited to see you fail. I think that’s just sports. I think it’s life, but also sports.”
He added, “This loss definitely messed me up a little bit, you know what I mean? More so than most years. And that’s what it’s going to take for it to not happen again. I made the joke at the end of the year that this could happen eight more times. I’m not going to stop.”
Donovan Mitchell says that he couldn’t leave Cleveland for a week following the loss to Pacers:
“This loss definitely messed me up. Usually after the season I fly out to go back home.”
Fuel for next season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JfOWkJzdab
¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) June 28, 2025
Mitchell averaged 29.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over nine playoff games.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins even took direct aim at him, saying, “A Donovan Mitchell-led team has never been to the conference finals.” If they fall short again next season, people may start labeling him the choker rather than blaming the team.
