The Cleveland Cavaliers are at a bit of a crossroads as they head into Friday night’s matchup - and it’s not just because they’re trying to snap a losing skid. With a 15-13 record, the Cavs are still above .500, but December hasn’t been kind. They’ve dropped four games already this month, including a 16-point loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday that raised more questions than answers.
Now, they’ll see the Bulls again - this time at home - but there’s a cloud hanging over the rematch: Donovan Mitchell is officially listed as questionable with an illness.
That’s a major concern. Mitchell has been the heartbeat of this team, and even in Wednesday’s loss, he was the lone bright spot, dropping 32 points on 11-of-23 shooting.
Just a week ago, he torched the Wizards for 48. He’s averaging 30.7 points per game - not just leading the Cavs, but putting himself among the league’s elite scorers.
If he’s not available, Cleveland’s margin for error shrinks dramatically.
But this isn’t just about one player. The Cavs have now lost seven games since the last week of November. It’s been a rough stretch, and the frustration is starting to show - even from Mitchell himself.
“Just stick with it,” Mitchell told reporters after Wednesday’s loss. “Yes, it's frustrating.
It sucks. But at the end of the day, what are you gonna do, feel bad?
You know what I mean? It's December 17.
What are we gonna do, call it in right now? Keep going.
Keep doing it.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want to hear from your star - honest, but focused. Mitchell acknowledged the team’s struggles, particularly with shooting.
The Cavs are getting good looks, he said, but the shots just aren’t falling. And when that happens, sometimes it’s not about effort or execution - sometimes it’s just a cold streak you’ve got to shoot your way out of.
There’s still time, and Mitchell knows it. But the urgency is real.
The Eastern Conference isn’t waiting around for anyone, and the Cavs are slipping at a time when they need to be gaining ground. Whether Mitchell suits up Friday or not, Cleveland has to find a way to stop the bleeding - and fast.