Evan Mobley Reveals Cavs’ Focus For Game 5

Once again, Donovan Mitchell might not be available when it matters most.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star exited Game 4 early with an ankle injury, and his status for Game 5 is reportedly up in the air.

With that in mind, Evan Mobley made it loud and clear that if it comes down to having to play without him, everybody will have to pick up the slack and toughen up:

“We talked to [Donovan Mitchell] a little bit,” Mobley said of Mitchell following Sunday’s loss. “Right now we’ve just got to focus on us and focus on who we have. Hopefully he’s good. Going to have to be whoever the next man up is and we’re going to have to step up and the main thing right now is just focus on our next game.”

The Cavs have struggled with injuries during the playoffs.

Darius Garland missed four games with a toe injury.

Then, Mobley and De’Andre Hunter couldn’t suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals because of an injured ankle and thumb.

Mitchell has reportedly been playing through a calf injury, and now, this ankle ailment puts his status in jeopardy.

Notably, Mitchell has had plenty of issues with injuries during the playoffs, and that was a major concern when the team signed him to a lengthy contract extension in the offseason.

In addition, he has never advanced past the second round of the postseason, and while he’s had some big performances in the playoffs, he’s also had his fair share of subpar games in the most pressing times.

All things considered, this game and this series could define Mitchell’s reputation for years to come; it will be very difficult to convince people that he can be a franchise player.

The doubters already thought the Cavs were fake contenders and not tough enough, and they haven’t done much to change that perception in this series against the Pacers.