Donovan Mitchell Is Running on Empty-and the Cavaliers Are Running Out of Answers
Right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are asking Donovan Mitchell to do everything. And it’s starting to show.
Mitchell looked gassed in the second half against the Hornets, and not just in the “he’s playing a lot of minutes” kind of way. This was full-on fatigue-the kind that shows up in his legs, his decision-making, and most glaringly, in his turnovers. Eight giveaways from the Cavs’ star guard tell the story of a player trying to do too much with too little help.
And that’s the heart of Cleveland’s current problem: there’s no real Plan B.
With Darius Garland still out for at least a couple more weeks due to a toe injury, and Sam Merrill sidelined with a sprained hand, the Cavaliers are short on shot creators and even shorter on playmakers. That leaves Mitchell not only as the team’s go-to scorer, but also its primary initiator-a role that’s wearing him down fast.
This wasn’t how the season was supposed to go. The front office made moves in the offseason with one clear goal: lighten the load on Mitchell.
The addition of Lonzo Ball was supposed to be the key to unlocking a more balanced offense. Ball could take on ball-handling duties, get the team into sets, and let Mitchell operate more off the ball where he’s most dangerous.
Instead, Ball didn’t even see the floor in a nationally televised matchup against his younger brother, LaMelo. That’s not just a missed storyline-it’s a missed opportunity for a team desperate for someone to organize the offense.
And Ball wasn’t the only offseason addition to fall flat. De’Andre Hunter, brought in to provide two-way stability on the wing, struggled mightily.
Offensively, he made a string of head-scratching decisions. Defensively, he looked out of sync.
By the second half, he was essentially unplayable.
So head coach Kenny Atkinson started scrambling. He turned to rookie Nae’Qwan Tomlin to inject some defensive energy.
Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson got minutes, showing flashes but still far from being consistent creators. Evan Mobley, who should be stepping into a bigger offensive role with Garland out, started strong but faded quickly-taking just two shots in the second half.
And through it all, Mitchell keeps grinding. He came into this season saying he was in the best shape of his career.
But with the weight of the offense on his shoulders night after night, even that elite conditioning is starting to crack. This isn’t the first time he’s looked drained late in games.
And it likely won’t be the last.
The Cavs are now staring down a tough stretch with matchups against the Kings and Magic looming. Atkinson may have to lean into a grittier, defense-first identity just to keep the team afloat. That could mean more minutes for defensive-minded lineups, fewer offensive fireworks, and a whole lot of grinding out close games.
It’s not pretty. But right now, it might be the only path forward.
Until Garland returns-or someone else steps up as a reliable secondary option-Mitchell is going to keep carrying this team. And if the Cavaliers want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll need to find a way to support him before the burden becomes too much.
Because for a team with championship dreams, time is running out to find real answers.