Dan Gilbert Recalls LeBron James, 2016 Cavs Rallying from 3-1 Playoff Series Deficit

Cleveland Cavaliers governor Dan Gilbert is ready to see Donovan Mitchell return from his ankle injury in time to imitate 2016 LeBron James by leading his team back from a 3-1 playoff series deficit.

Gilbert wrote Monday on social media that the Cavaliers' Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs "was an ugly one, but we've been here before."

Only 13 teams have ever recovered from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA playoffs. James and the 2016 Cavaliers are the only ones to do so in the NBA Finals.

After losing Game 4 of the 2016 Finals to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, James posted back-to-back 41-point outings to tie the series. He and Kyrie Irving then combined for 53 points in a title-clinching Game 7 road victory.

It's still unclear whether Mitchell will be able to help the Cavs extend their postseason with a Game 5 win.

Mitchell contributed 12 points on 3-for-11 shooting through the first half of Game 4 before exiting the contest with a left ankle injury. The TNT broadcast team said during Game 2 that he has been playing through a calf strain.

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game that Mitchell would undergo an MRI on the injury Monday.

Losing Mitchell, who posted back-to-back 40-spots of his own in Games 2 and 3 against the Pacers, would be a major blow to the Cavaliers' hopes of becoming the 14th team in league history to claim victory in three straight elimination playoff contests.

Darius Garland, who led the Cavs with 21 points in Sunday's 129-109 Game 4 loss, will be tasked with leading the Cavs' offense if Mitchell isn't able to return for Game 5.