{"id":712762,"date":"2026-04-17T22:49:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712762\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T22:49:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:49:23","slug":"cavs-guard-donovan-mitchell-still-fueled-by-last-years-loss-to-pacers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712762\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell still fueled by last year’s loss to Pacers"},"content":{"rendered":"

CLEVELAND \u2014\u00a0One of the common narratives following Cavaliers<\/a> star Donovan Mitchell<\/a> is how the seven-time All-Star has never made it past the second round of the playoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It has followed him for most of his career now, like an ever-present shadow or a section of his NBA career resume he can’t yet erase. But if those whispers are continuing at the beginning of these playoffs<\/a>, Mitchell isn’t hearing them.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The No. 4-seeded<\/a> Cavs<\/a> open their first-round playoff series against the No. 5 Toronto Raptors<\/a> April 18. It’ll be Mitchell’s ninth trip to the playoffs and fourth with Cleveland. So far, though, in all eight cases, Mitchell’s side has exited the playoffs in either the first or the second round.<\/p>\n

That can certainly lead to some narrative-heavy discussions. One might call it all noise on social media. Mitchell, though, has put some proverbial headphones on when it comes to that, saying for roughly the last six or seven weeks, he’s stopped himself from scrolling social media (especially X, formerly Twitter).<\/p>\n

He’ll post whatever he needs to, but that’s it \u2014\u00a0no scrolling, no being pulled into the mess.<\/p>\n

“And honestly, it’s the best that I’ve ever felt,” Mitchell said. I’m sure there’s talk going around about that question, but to me, I’m just like, hey, I’m trying to do everything we can to win this game. And that’s really where I’m at. At the end of the day, I can’t worry about that [narrative].”<\/p>\n

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Donovan Mitchell #45 after making a three-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Donovan Mitchell #45 after making a three-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland, who was acquired earlier in the day in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, sits in the stands to watch a game against the Cavs on Feb. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, California.<\/p>\n

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PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 01: Jarrett Allen #31 is doused with water by teammate Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 01, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) slam dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 28: LeBron James #23 and Jake LaRavia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers guard Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Jan 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) shoots beside Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 24: Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic collects a rebound against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Kia Center on January 24, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Jan 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket while guarded by Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller on Jan. 21, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.\\<\/p>\n

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 19: Guard Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Rocket Arena on January 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 16: Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, center, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers defenders Joel Embiid, left, and Kelly Oubre Jr. on Jan. 14, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

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Jan 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Jan 10, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae’qwan Tomlin (35) goes for a loose ball against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Jan 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) blocks the shot of Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) in the first half, Jan. 6, 2026, in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

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Jan 2, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks to pass while being defended by Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Dec 31, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) goes up for a dunk during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Dec 29, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. shoots the ball over Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter during the second half, Dec. 27, 2025, in Houston.<\/p>\n

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Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) shoots the ball during the first quarter as Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) defends at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

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Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter celebrates after a second-half dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans, Dec. 23, 2025, Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Dec 22, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson tries to get the attention of referee Natalie Sago (9) in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) loses the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) on Dec. 19, 2025, in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Dec 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) chase the ball during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 14, 2025, in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Dec 12, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jamir Watkins (5) dunks the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Dec 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) works against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) defends Dec. 5, 2025, in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter rebounds in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers, Dec. 3, 2025, in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Dec 1, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) looses the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) passes during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reaches for the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae\u2019Quan Tomlin (35) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luke Travers (33) comes down with a rebound against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin (35) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden on Nov. 23, 2025, in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

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Nov 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) loses the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket against Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 17, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots beside Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends a shot by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives between Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) and guard Immanuel Quickley (5) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr. shoots over Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat during the first half, Nov. 12, 2025 in Miami.<\/p>\n

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Nov 10, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) fight for a loose ball during the first period at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Nov 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes up for a dunk against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mitchell missed the dunk. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton chase a loose ball in the second half of a NBA Cup game, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

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Nov 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) brings the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Arena.<\/p>\n

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Nov 2, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) celebrates with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 31, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) defends a shot by Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward\/guard De’Andre Hunter (12) and Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) work for the ball in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) dunks as Detroit Pistons’ Tolu Smith looks on Oct. 27, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.<\/p>\n

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Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 24, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) blocks a shot taken by Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 22, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) hangs on the rim after a dunk against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell stats<\/p>\n

A similar narrative will only grow louder for the Cavs as an entire organization if they should again fall short of the conference finals. The sense of urgency almost couldn’t be higher, especially considering that Mitchell and James Harden<\/a> could potentially exit Cleveland by the end of next season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

After falling to the Indiana Pacers<\/a> in the second round a year ago, Mitchell walked back out onto the court, seemingly still in disbelief as he processed the loss. He later said he felt they had “let the city down.”<\/a><\/p>\n

In the aftermath, he also said he wanted the entire team to “feel” the loss<\/a>, to let it fuel them all summer. Now, nearly 11 months later, it’s still acting as accelerant.<\/p>\n

“I think you remember those feelings,” Mitchell said. “It allows you to go a little harder, right? Maybe do a little extra conditioning or do a few more reps in the weight room, a few more reps on the court. \u2026 So I think now’s that time.”<\/p>\n

It’s no secret that in terms of their resumes \u2014\u00a0or legacies, to use another hot-button term \u2013\u00a0this is a massively important for the Cavaliers, but perhaps none more so than Mitchell and Harden, neither of which have won championship rings. Harden has virtually everything on his resume save for a title. Mitchell hasn’t yet broken through the second-round ceiling.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

So when asked what this playoff run might mean to Mitchell, he said, “The world.”<\/p>\n

“This is a great opportunity and with that, it’s on us in this locker room, everybody in the locker room to go out there and execute at the highest level. You prep, you do all the stuff we do, you sit in the gym for hours \u2026 you don’t get to eat out. I don’t get ot drink wine with my family and friends because I’m locked in.<\/p>\n

“You prep your body you prep your mind, you prep everything for this exact run, right?”<\/p>\n

Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. <\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell used the Pacers loss to fuel him<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CLEVELAND \u2014\u00a0One of the common narratives following Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is how the seven-time All-Star has never…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":712763,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3774],"tags":[7,136,864,113,126,3866,560,6,114,476],"class_list":{"0":"post-712762","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-indiana-pacers","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-cavs","10":"tag-donovan-mitchell","11":"tag-indiana","12":"tag-indiana-pacers","13":"tag-indianapacers","14":"tag-james-harden","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-pacers","17":"tag-toronto-raptors"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116422498523214295","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=712762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/712763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=712762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=712762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=712762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}