Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell listed as out with ankle sprain

April 7, 2025

Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is listed as out with a left ankle sprain for Tuesday’s home game against the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavs (62-16) could clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a victory — but they will now have to do it without their leading scorer.

Mitchell was forced to briefly exit the Cavaliers’ home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday after rolling the ankle. He returned moments later to finish the game, scoring 19 points.

“Never been better,” Mitchell joked when asked if the ankle was sore. “Just going to let tomorrow be tomorrow and then go from there.”

He conceded he would need to test the ankle before a decision was reached on playing against the Bulls.

“If I’m able to go, I’m able to go,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, a little hobbled after the first adrenaline rush. But I’m trying to win. I’m trying to help my team win any way possible. I want to get the one seed and go from there.”

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said health is the priority as the team heads to the postseason. He had a chat with Mitchell after the injury.

“I said, ‘Listen, if it’s even 5% where you’re a little weak or whatever, or it’s bothering you, you gotta tell me so we can get you out,” Atkinson said. “We’ve got multiple games to try to clinch this thing. Don’t have to do it tonight.’ He said it felt fine.

“My experience with this, if a guy plays the whole fourth quarter, he said he felt fine … I trust him. That might be the most positive thing of the night. He’ll get checked out. I don’t anticipate it being anything, quite honestly.”

Overall, it seems the Cavaliers aren’t too worried about officially clinching. They do realize they’ll have to play better than they did on Sunday, and perhaps a few games before that, to lock up the No. 1 spot in the East.

“Get it on Tuesday,” Mitchell said. “It’s the equivalent of a playoff loss at the crib. How do you respond?”

As for the ankle, it’s fairly clear it’s a day-by-day ordeal.

“We’re not going to sit here and assess the future until we figure out what’s ahead,” Mitchell said. “So right now, obviously, I’m going to be smart, but figure out when it gets to it and be ready.”