Cavaliers Expected to Rule Out Donovan Mitchell for Game 5 vs. Celtics, per Report

Patrick Andres | May 15, 2024

May 11, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts. / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

As they attempt to stave off elimination in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics, it appears the Cleveland Cavaliers will be without one of their stars.

Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is expected to miss Game 5 Wednesday night as he continues to deal with a calf strain, according to a Wednesday morning report from Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Mitchell also missed Game 4 with the injury, which Cleveland dropped 109-102 to go down 3-1 in the series.

In 10 playoff games this year—seven against the Orlando Magic and three against the Celtics—Mitchell is averaging 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is expected to miss tonight's potential elimination Game 5 vs. Boston, sources tell me and @joevardon. Mitchell is dealing with a calf strain. pic.twitter.com/mdp5As2FVI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2024

The Cavaliers have been undermanned for much of this postseason between Mitchell's injury and center Jarrett Allen's rib contusion, which has held him out since Game 4 of the first round.

Though nothing is concrete, speculation has swirled around what Cleveland will do with Mitchell this offseason. He can become a free agent as early as next summer, depending on what he does with a player option for 2026.