Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell Stays Strong On NBA Revisiting Coach’s Challenge Rule

After the Cavaliers fell to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, star guard Donovan Mitchell had a suggestion for the NBA.

Mitchell believes the league should reconsider the coach’s challenge rule, particularly when a team wins both of its challenges.

Currently, teams receive one challenge. If that challenge is successful, they are awarded a second. After that, no more challenges are allowed.

Mitchell said that limitation can become frustrating in key moments.

“I do feel like there were some tough calls that didn’t go our way,” Mitchell told reporters, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “I got fouled on a three and I’m having a hard time with the rule of once you’ve had two challenges you can’t get any more, especially when you win both.”

Mitchell added that the issue has come up more than once recently for the Cavs (40-26).

“Maybe I’m biased because it happened to us twice in game ending situations the past two and a half or three weeks,” he said. “It happened in Detroit. It happened here. Both of them on TV. I don’t know what the rule should be. If you’re winning challenges, especially on calls that are very obvious, I think it’s something that should be talked about.”

itchell is averaging 28.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists this season while shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three and 85.6 percent from the free throw line. He currently ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring.

The Cavs has not advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs since acquiring Mitchell in 2022. With Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and James Harden leading the way, expectations remain high as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.

The Cavs have 16 games remaining before the playoffs, starting with Friday’s visit to the Dallas Mavericks.