REPORT: Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell Targeting Return As Soon As Friday

According to The Athletic Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Cleveland guard is targeting a return from his nasal fracture as soon as Friday.

Mar 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of the game at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past few weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have battled multiple key injuries.

However, the team may reportedly have a crucial reinforcement return to the rotation soon.

According to The Athletic Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, five-time reigning All-Star Donovan Mitchell is targeting a return to the floor as soon as Friday, when the Cavaliers host the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 27-year-old has missed Cleveland’s last five games due to a nasal fracture, for which he had to undergo a procedure to repair. According to the NBA’s 3:30 p.m. ET Injury Report, he will also miss the Wine and Gold’s game tonight against the Charlotte Hornets.

Mitchell has unfortunately dealt with two injuries this month, which have kept him out of 12 of the Cavaliers’ first 14 games this March. Cleveland has gone 5-7 without him out in the lineup this month.

Mar 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of the game at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Before his nasal fracture, he sustained a bone bruise in his left knee and received a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection to treat it. Mitchell then suffered his nasal fracture in just his second game back from the injury.

In his second season with the Wine and Gold, the guard has been once again been one of the premier players in the NBA. He ranks seventh in the league in both points (27.4) and steals (1.8, career-best) per game, and is averaging career-bests of 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 0.5 blocks per contest.

Upon his eventual return, Mitchell will be both a welcomed and needed addition to a Cavaliers team looking to make a deep run in the upcoming 2024 NBA Playoffs.