NBA Playoffs 2025- Donovan Mitchell Eyes Comeback In Indiana After Cavaliers Suffer Two Straight Losses At Rocket Arena 

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said that the franchise needs to win two games in Indiana after they suffered their second straight loss in the NBA Playoffs 2025 Conference Semifinals against the Pacers. After kicking off the best-of-seven series with a disheartening defeat, the Cavs went on to suffer a narrow 120-119 defeat in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Heading into the series as heavy favorites, the loss has surely come as a setback for the franchise. However, Mitchell has his aim straight and he said that they need to register two wins as action moves to Indiana for Game 3 and 4. Speaking to the media after the loss, Mitchell said, “We’ve got to go get two in Indy. Simple as that.” 

The 28-year-old who had the second-most points in a playoff game at Rocket Arena talk about his calf-strain, and said, “I’m banged up, we all are. It’s tough, but that’s what the playoffs are.” Notably, Spida came with a dominating performance on Tuesday night and dropped 48 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. With this, he now holds the sixth most 45-point playoff games in the history of the NBA. 

However, even his on-court brilliance couldn’t save the Cavaliers’ collapse who were without stars including Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter. 

While the tally already reads 2-0 in favor of the Pacers, Mitchell seems to be optimistic for the rest of the series. Putting his winner’s mentality on display, Spida said that either the team can dwell on the loss for a few days or can move on by taking a note of their positive points. 

He said, “We’ve shown how deep we are as a team, how great we are as a unit. It’s tough losing like that, but we got to find a way. We can sit here and dwell on this and be home in about four or five days, or we can move on and take some things that we did really well and go from there.” 

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Donovan Mitchell Shuts Home Fans For ‘Overrated’ Chants At Tyrese Haliburton 

Apart from putting up a brilliant show of his scoring prowess, Mitchell also displayed brilliant sportsmanship. During the game, when home fans heckled ‘overrated’ chants towards Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Mitchell intervened and gestured to the fans to stop. The incident took place when Haliburton stepped to the free-throw line, and the entire Rocket Arena erupted into chants of ‘Overrated’. 

The chants came as the aftermath of a player poll which voted Haliburton as the most overrated player in the NBA. However, showing true sportsmanship and putting the rivalry aside, Mitchell waved his hand downwards, signaling fans to stop the chants. In an immediate effect, the chants quickly came to a stop. 

Haliburton came up with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists for the Pacers. Talking about the upcoming game, both teams will be up against each other on Friday, May 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. 

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