Donovan Mitchell Says He Hasn't Slept Since Cavs' NBA Playoff Exit, Watched Game Twice

Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell is having a hard time getting over Tuesday's Game 5 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, which ended his season.

Mitchell told reporters on Wednesday that he hasn't slept following the disappointing ending and he's watched Tuesday's game twice.

The Cavs were eliminated from the playoffs with a 114-105 loss on their home floor in Game 5. Mitchell, who was playing through an ankle injury, gave all he could and scored a game-high 35 points.

Cleveland's playoff collapse was especially disappointing after the team's stellar regular season that included the No. 1 seed in the East after going 64-18, the Coach of the Year award for head coach Kenny Atkinson and the Defensive Player of the Year award for Evan Mobley. Mitchell had a somber tone as he explained the feeling of losing earlier than expected in the playoffs after such a great year.

"It's tough, man, it's tough," Mitchell told reporters. "You put a lot into a season, you accomplish different things throughout the season and you feel like you're right there on the cusp, and then for it to end this way is tough."

After Tuesday's loss, Mitchell was seen sitting on the bench by himself and taking it all in.

"I just couldn't believe it," Mitchell said afterward, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Didn't want to believe it. Don't want to believe it. Still don't want to believe it."

The Cavs are expected to maintain most of their core this offseason and should be in line to compete for an NBA title once again in 2025-26, but it's understandably difficult for Mitchell to have to sit and wait until next year to try to achieve his ultimate goals.