CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell pounded his hand on the padded scorer’s desk, and the All-Star guard lowered his head to cowl his face in disbelief.
That, or embarrassment.
The Cavaliers, thought of a robust contender to win the Japanese Convention title this season, look something however one nowadays.
On Sunday, they got here out flat in opposition to Charlotte, recovered and compelled extra time earlier than lacking all 10 pictures within the additional session to lose 119-111 to the Hornets, who had been with out star LaMelo Ball and have been one of many NBA’s worst street groups this season.
Within the ultimate moments, a number of the Cleveland followers who stayed round in Rocket Area till the top, booed the house staff, which has too typically performed uninspired ball this season.
“We deserve it,” Mitchell stated. “I used to be a fan as soon as. I’d boo us, too.”
Final season, the Cavs began 15-0 beneath first-year coach Kenny Atkinson, elevating expectations increased than they’d been since LeBron James led them to a 2016 championship and 4 consecutive journeys to the Finals.
A disappointing postseason — Cleveland was eradicated in 5 video games by Indiana within the convention semifinals — has been adopted by an inconsistent, injury-riddled begin to the 2025-26 season.
The losses together with a number of head-scratching performances prior to now two weeks have raised questions in regards to the Cavs’ roster and make-up. It is a shut staff, however one going by way of adversity that’s threatening to chip away on the basis.
Mitchell, who scored 48 factors in a 130-126 win over Washington on Friday, blamed himself for Sunday’s loss, the Cavs’ sixth in 9 video games. He completed with 17 factors on simply 6-of-24 capturing, together with 1-of-11 on 3-pointers.
After Cleveland rallied to tie it within the fourth, Mitchell had a clear look on a possible profitable 12-foot jumper on the regulation horn however missed.
“I had a kind of nights on an evening and state of affairs after I’m not allowed to,” stated Mitchell, who got here in averaging 31.3 factors, 5.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds. “If I play higher, we win that recreation. Put this one on me. I do know my teammates will not say that.”
It hasn’t helped that Cleveland hasn’t been complete all season.
Like different groups, they’ve battled an harm bug. Although they welcomed again heart Jarrett Allen after he sat out 9 video games due to a finger harm, the Cavs had been with out ahead Evan Mobley, the league’s reigning defensive participant of the 12 months who may sit out a month due to a calf pressure.
Guard Darius Garland has needed to battle by way of lingering discomfort from offseason toe surgical procedure, and guards Sam Merrill and Max Strus have been out as properly.
“No excuse,” stated Garland, who scored 26 factors in opposition to the Hornets and performed the previous few minutes in apparent misery due to his toe.
The whole lot is painful proper now for the Cavs.
“Nobody is feeling sorry for us,” Mitchell stated. “I would not really feel sorry for us. I do know it is cloudy. I do know it is darkish. So long as we proceed to remain collectively on this locker room, we’ll be all proper.”
Leave a Reply