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Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers may once again be without their franchise cornerstone when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, as Donovan Mitchell is officially listed as questionable with a left eye contusion, per the NBA injury report.
Mitchell already missed Thursday’s 115-110 win over the Chicago Bulls, and his status remains uncertain as Cleveland continues to monitor his recovery from a vision-related issue that has impacted him throughout the week.
Mitchell Dealing With Blurry Vision After Practice Collision
The injury stems from a collision during practice earlier this week, which left Mitchell with a bloodshot eye and lingering vision problems. While the Cavaliers initially allowed him to play through it, the effects became more noticeable during their game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Mitchell admitted after that outing that the injury significantly affected his performance.
“I could not really see out of my left eye,” Mitchell said, via ESPN.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson echoed those concerns, explaining that while the injury is not considered serious, it has been disruptive enough to warrant caution.
“He was having issues last game, like blurry [vision],” Atkinson said, via ESPN. “It’s not like a scratched cornea, nothing dangerous, but we got to let it clear up.”
That approach led to Mitchell being held out entirely against Chicago, with Cleveland opting to prioritize long-term health over a short-term push.
Cavaliers Find Offensive Balance Without Mitchell
Even without their leading scorer, the Cavaliers managed to secure a hard-fought win over the Bulls, showcasing their depth and adaptability.
James Harden took control offensively, pouring in 36 points while knocking down seven 3-pointers. Evan Mobley added a dominant 26-point, 14-rebound performance, continuing his strong two-way play.
Rookie Jaylon Tyson stepped into the starting lineup in Mitchell’s absence and delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Cleveland appeared in full control for much of the night, building a 29-point lead in the third quarter before Chicago mounted a late rally. The Bulls cut the deficit to one in the final minutes, but timely baskets from Sam Merrill and Harden ultimately sealed the victory.
If Mitchell remains sidelined against New Orleans, Cleveland is expected to lean on a similar rotation, with Tyson likely retaining his starting role and Harden and Mobley continuing to carry a larger offensive load.
Playoff Positioning Raises Stakes for Mitchell’s Return
Mitchell’s availability becomes increasingly critical as the regular season winds down. The six-time All-Star has been the engine of Cleveland’s offense, averaging 28.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds on 48 percent shooting across 61 games.
With just 12 games remaining, the Cavaliers are firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They currently sit at 43-27, holding the No. 4 seed, 3.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors while trailing the New York Knicks by the same margin for third place.
Cleveland’s remaining schedule ranks among the softer slates in the league, allowing them to solidify their position — but only if they remain healthy.
Next Steps for Cavaliers Star
For now, the Cavaliers are taking a measured approach with Mitchell, prioritizing his vision and overall comfort before clearing him to return. Eye injuries, even when not structurally serious, can be unpredictable, especially when they affect depth perception and shooting accuracy.
His questionable designation suggests a game-time decision is likely, with another update expected closer to tipoff in New Orleans.
Whether Mitchell suits up or not, Cleveland’s recent performance without him has provided reassurance. Still, for a team with postseason ambitions, having its star guard fully healthy remains the ultimate priority as the playoffs approach.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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