Can The Cavs Survive Without Mitchell?
CLEVELAND- If you were to take a survey of Cavs fans on what they have thought of Donovan Mitchell to this point, a majority of them would say he’s been better than advertised.
Mitchell has put together a career year thus far, averaging 28.4 points per game, shooting an average of 48.4% from the field, and currently has the Cavs fighting for a top spot in a loaded Eastern Conference.
It’s safe to say Mitchell’s performance to this point has put him firmly in the MVP discussion, but now it’s time for the Cavs to tread water after Mitchell Sustained a groin injury in the Cavs win Monday vs. the Pelicans on MLK Day.
Darius Garland led the Cavs over the Pelicans pouring in 30 points 11 assists and 6 boards. Garland may have to continue to carry the load like he did Monday if Mitchell misses an extended amount of time, and that very well might be the case.
“I don’t think that Injury just happened last night,” said ESPN beat writer Brian Windhorst. “I think he’s been dealing with it for a little while here, and we’ll see how it responds to treatment.”
Windhorst continued “when you play him that kind of minute load you can expect a fatigue injury, and a groin strain is a fatigue injury. They have a challenging schedule coming up, it is certainly not an ideal time, but they have to play the long game with this one.”
The Cavs are 2-4 without Mitchell on the floor as a whole and are 1-4 with Garland on the floor without Mitchell. This is a small sample size but one many Cavs fans have pointed to as a potential cause for concern for the Cavs.
Garland’s stat lines in the 5 games without Mitchell
MIN - 51/2/6
SAC – 18/2/6
OKC – 13/3/6
DEN – 21/4/8
MEM – 24/5/14
Garland has been streaky, to say the least with Mitchell out of the lineup, but he has also had to adjust more than anyone else in this Cavs offense. This is where Mitchell being out could benefit the Cavaliers in the long run.
Garland has had to sacrifice this season, and while he is still a prolific scorer and distributor, it seems as if he has lost some of the consistency he displayed last year. However, having a ball-dominant guard like Mitchell is likely the main reason behind that.
The biggest obstacle for the Cavs to this point has been getting Garland and sophomore center Evan Mobley acclimated and comfortable in their offense. With Mitchell out, it’s no secret that both of their opportunities will skyrocket.
Garland and Mobley led the Cavs this past Wednesday vs. a scorching-hot Grizzlies team, and took them right down to the wire. A disappointing loss but also an encouraging sign that the Cavs will be fine without Mitchell.
Mobley has shot a combined 17-25 from the field since Mitchell’s injury and brought down a combined 23 rebounds. Garland in his first start since Mitchell’s injury did his share of scoring when he had to, but the encouraging stat was the 14 assists against Memphis.
The Cavs will go as Mobley and Garland go moving forward, but Cavs fans should not panic without Mitchell. This could be what the Cavs need to get them to their highest level of basketball.