The Cleveland Cavaliers couldn’t get the job done in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers.
They lost for the first time in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but they can regain home-court advantage against the Indiana Pacers.
On paper, Donovan Mitchell had a solid game, as he led all scorers with 33 points.
However, he needed 30 shots to get those points, and his team lost.
That’s why, when asked about having the longest streak of 30-point performances in Game 1 in NBA playoff history, he claimed it didn’t mean much because his team didn’t win.
“We lost. I shot 30 times,” Mitchell said, via Daryl Ruiter. “Like I said, I’ll be better. … I always try to be aggressive to start a series.”
Donovan Mitchell’s response when asked about passing Michael Jordan for the most consecutive 30+ point Game 1 performances in NBA history with his 8th straight #Cavs pic.twitter.com/DZx3Obtr6x
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 5, 2025
Mitchell has eight Game 1s in a row with at least 30 points, which is one more than Michael Jordan, who had two streaks of seven games in his career.
Then again, like Mitchell said, Jordan won those games.
Mitchell admitted he would try to stay aggressive throughout this series, but he also acknowledged that he needs to be better after such an inefficient performance.
He shot just 1-of-11 from 3-point territory and struggled mightily when defended by Andrew Nembhard, who held him to just two points on 1-of-10 shooting.
No one can deny or doubt Mitchell’s scoring prowess, but the Cavs have to do a better job of making things easier for him.
He can’t do all the heavy lifting, and the rest of the team will have to step up while Darius Garland remains out with a toe injury.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Struggled Against Pacers Veteran In Game 1
