Donovan Mitchell is worried about injury, Cavaliers prepare for the fifth game of life and death

As Donovan Mitchell played before Game 5, the Cavaliers faced playoff elimination and everything was in danger.

The once hopeful playoffs of the Cleveland Cavaliers are now shaking, and Donovan Mitchell's form is crucial to their final victory. Mitchell, the Cavaliers' undeniable engine and spiritual leader, was officially listed as the fifth game against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, which is now the key to the victory or defeat of Cleveland.

The five-time All-Star player's calf injury worsened again in the fourth game of the Cavaliers' 109-129 defeat on Sunday, and fans and teammates have hope for him to play at a critical moment.

At the break of Game 4, the Cavaliers fell 4 points behind, tying the biggest gap in NBA playoff history. Mitchell came out to warm up, but soon felt unwell. As he jumped and prepared to shoot near the top of the arc, his calf suddenly hurt. He shook his head, curled up, slowly returned to the locker room in pain, and never showed up that night. The Cavaliers later confirmed that he had an injury to his left ankle, although he had previously struggled to overcome a sudden calf strain that occurred in Game 2. Will Donovan Mitchell appear for the Cavaliers in Game 5 against the Pacers?

Despite some unsettling signs after Game 4, Mitchell still maintained his tenacious fighting spirit.

"I will be very good on Tuesday. You know me. See you on Tuesday," he told reporters with a wry smile after the game.

No one can guarantee everything goes well anyway. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson gave no clear news after the game, just saying Mitchell would undergo an MRI test. Despite other news, it is still unknown whether he can play.

This is a cruel twist for a player who performed well throughout the series and averaged more than 40 points per game in the first three games. Even after losing in the second game, he scored 48 points, almost helping the understaffed Cavaliers win. But Mitchell didn’t fully recover, or he wasn’t at all, and Cleveland looked like he was lost.

In Game 4, Mitchell played for only 20 minutes, made 3 of 11 shots and scored only 12 points. While he was there, the Cavaliers beat their opponent by 35 points.

The unfortunate recurrence of Cleveland's playoffs has been a recurring theme for Cleveland. Mitchell's calf, Evan Mobley's ankles, Dalius Garland's toes, and DeAndre Hunter's dislocated thumb. This team has always been known for being cautious in this kind of matter, but the stakes this time are different from those in the past. The fault tolerance space is now gone.

In contrast, almost all the Pacers played, except Isaiah Jackson, who was absent due to a torn Achilles tendon. The Pacers demonstrated cohesion and killer instinct, which was most evident in the precise teardown of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4. The Cavaliers appear fragmented and lack the team's personality and fighting spirit, and Mitchell usually provides these two points.

It is this absence, both literally and figuratively, that has caused the deepest damage to the team. Without Mitchell, the Cavaliers are not only missing a star, they also lack the team's soul. His presence stabilized Garland's morale and inspired Mobri's vitality. Mitchell's absence, even if only slightly weakened, left a vacancy in the team's roster that other players could not keep filling.

"Now we just need to focus on ourselves, on our existing roster," Mobley said after Game 4. "I hope he is in good shape. No matter who is playing next, we have to give it all, we have to give it all. The most important thing now is to focus on the next game."

is easier said than done. Because while people are talking about lineup depth and resilience, the Cavaliers’ season, their positioning, their playoff hopes may all depend on whether a player can overcome the pain and contribute a great game again.

Entering the fifth game, the Cavaliers' bet is very clear: either win, continue to fight, or lose, facing an offseason full of uncertainty. However, if Donovan Mitchell is unable to play or can’t return to the exciting form of the first three games, Cleveland may have stepped out of the playoffs with one foot.