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Jon Krawczynski: In the NBA's last 2-minute report, it was concluded that James Harden should have been called for a foul on Anthony Edwards' drive late. Also, the steal from LaMelo Ball on Donovan Mitchell was deemed incidental contact. Not surprised at either determination.
Mario Hezonja: "Donovan is been extraordinary a teammate and extraordinary human being with me first of all. We go way way back. So he was super supportive of that because I see him and I tell him you're not supposed to bring up the ball against the pressure because we need you in the last quarter. We need you in playoffs, we need you in game 80, game 60. Having somebody like me that can help as I said for the first day I'm here to to help you."
Cavaliers defeat Nets 125-121 behind 22 points from Donovan Mitchell, 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists from Evan Mobley. Michael Porter Jr. had 28 points, nine rebounds and four steals for Brooklyn, while Julius Randle had 23 points and Egor Demin had 22 points and six assists.
That extension backs up what Mitchell has been saying for years. It’s his pledge to Cleveland. This is where he wants to be. Forever. “Everybody always says, ‘Why Cleveland? Why Cleveland?’ “Cleveland’s home,” Mitchell said. “I don’t ever want to wear another uniform. I don’t have that vision. Business is business. I understand how that works. There may be a situation where we may not be in a position to win anymore and business happens, right? “... But the purpose behind this extension is to be here forever. ... I’ve got to deliver. We’ve got to deliver. I’m not saying an extension guarantees a championship. But that’s the goal. It’s why I wake up every morning. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t see it. Can’t ever picture it. “I dream of myself being here forever and hopefully having 45 in the rafters one day.”
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But for as long as Mitchell is ringless, doubts will persist and critics will remain. He hears all of it. “I can do whatever and I feel like it’s always going to be something,” Mitchell said. “I think there are a few guys like that, and I have certain things that won’t go away until I retire and then people will be like holy (expletive) this dude was really good. I think for me I’ve kind of let go of that, and I credit my therapy work. I’m just going to try to be the best player I can be. I’m really good. I’m really talented. I’ve done a lot. At the end of the day, when I’m done playing in 10 years, 15 years, whatever that is, people will be like, I could have appreciated this dude a little bit more.”
Every career setback is a lesson. Getting swept by the Knicks in 2023. Losing to Boston in the conference semifinals a year later. The embarrassment against Indiana in the 2025 playoffs after a 64-win regular season. And, most recently, the conference finals collapse that included Cleveland’s Game 1 implosion in which the Cavs gagged away a 22-point fourth-quarter lead. So, what did Mitchell take from that? “I think everything we do needs to move with intention,” he said. “Every single film session, every single rep, your diet, your weightlifting session. I think the details of everything. You realize how much smaller the margins are when you go from the top eight to the top four. “There’s just so much less room for error and it can compound. That one block out. That one turnover. That one extra possession. That one mental error. The details are so key. “You watch that Knicks team, even after they beat us and got to the Finals, they were winning the game within the margins. It’s just different when you go through it. When we came into camp, there’s a purpose behind each thing we’re doing.”
Donovan Mitchell on James Harden: “I just truly believe the only reason why he’s not talked about in every room is because of championship conversation. But I’ve always known it being around him, but when you’re his teammate, I think it grew to a whole different level. Seeing him in camp, seeing his influence on the group, seeing his conversation, seeing his passion behind winning, and passion behind intention and trying to be the best of what he does, really puts in perspective how BS a lot of narratives are, and how you really don’t truly understand something until you see it from the other side.”
Donovan Mitchell: "The biggest thing that I've learned the past two years is positive affirmation is crazy. I used to speak to myself. I used to talk to myself. I would look at myself in the mirror and talk to myself through the mirror because I felt like I'm talking to a bunch of Tracy McGrady's through that mirror, not just the one that I'm seeing. I feel like my powers, I'm gaining. I feel like I'm talking to a bunch of me looking at myself through the mirror and I feel somebody's going to respond back to me and I'm going to get that power from them, having that conversation and talking to myself."
Donovan Mitchell: “I think we could be a top-five defense. I believe that at our, when I first got here, our first two years we were a top-ten, wasn’t it? Something like that. I think there’s people we’ve added, like Peyton. I think a full year of camp and kind of trying not to give too much, but things we’ve added, things we’ve done, I think it kind of helped with that as well. Last year we changed some things, and then also adding James, we were trying to change stuff on the fly. I think this year coming in, I’m really excited about what we can do as far as protecting our paint, protecting ourselves, protecting each other out there on the floor. I think we’ll do a better job, that’s for sure.”
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Donovan Mitchell on James Harden: “I just truly believe the only reason why he’s not talked about in every room is because of championship conversation. But I’ve always known it being around him, but when you’re his teammate, I think it grew to a whole different level. Seeing him in camp, seeing his influence on the group, seeing his conversation, seeing his passion behind winning, and passion behind intention and trying to be the best of what he does, really puts in perspective how BS a lot of narratives are, and how you really don’t truly understand something until you see it from the other side.”
Chris Fedor: #Cavs Donovan Mitchell on Tyrese Proctor: “There's a level of desperation that I feel & I don't mean that in a panicky way. There's a tenacity & hunger about him. I feel like he's coming in like last year never happened. Gotten stronger. Picking myself and James up full court"
Chris Fedor: #Cavs Donovan Mitchell on the team's identity: “I think first and foremost, we can score with the best. I think that's pretty easy and obvious. But I think for us not having *that* be our calling card"
"You always talked about how much you loved Cleveland. So you sign an extension, it's no surprise. But I think the fact that you signed the extension right when you were eligible, it sends a message. What is that?" Donovan Mitchell: "I think the biggest thing was actions speak louder than words. I was just talking to one of the radio guys about it and they were like, 'Why do you think people didn't believe you?' I said a lot of that probably predates me. There are a lot of things that have happened beforehand. For me, I get it. I'm not offended by those things, but for me, showing is better than telling. I'm here."
