"I Thought I Was Ready:" Donovan Mitchell Still Battling Knee Injury, Cavs News

Donovan Mitchell says he probably won't play for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they take on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a jolt of energy injected into the lineup on Wednesday night as Donovan Mitchell returned after missing the previous seven games with a bone bruise in his knee that required a PRP injection to help heal.

Two games later, Mitchell and the Cavs have taken a step back as the All-Star shooting guard admits the injury is still affecting him and his status for the team's upcoming game remains uncertain.

"No disrespect to some guys, I'm not really blowing by people right now and that's disappointing to me and that's affecting me," said Mitchell after Clveland's loss to the Houston Rockets. 

"I'm probably not playing the next game [Monday at the Indiana Pacers] to be completely honest with you. Kind of just take some rest and get it right. I thought I was ready, I'm not and it sucks and I want to be out there. It's clear as day, even to myself, I can't fool myself. I'll get it right and be when the time comes."

Mitchell has looked unlike himself on the floor and the box scores back all of this up too. He's averaged just 13.5 points shot 31% (9-29) from the field, 41% (7-17) from behind the arc, and has +/- of -10.5 in the last two games. He's said the area that has affected him the most has been when he drives to the hoop and even on defense. 

It's pretty clear Mitchell has not been the player that he was earlier in the season when he was making a strong case for the NBA's MVP.

Mar 16, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) looks at the replay board while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / © Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell not playing against the Pacers would be costly as the team has still been without Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Dean Wade. But at this point, with 14 games left of the regular season, the Cavs need Mitchell to be at full strength for the playoffs. 

Entirely healthy is just something he's not right now.