Cavaliers Unsure if Donovan Mitchell Will Play Against Pelicans

Cleveland's star guard is listed as questionable with a left eye contusion.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:56pm

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The Cleveland Cavaliers may once again be without Donovan Mitchell when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, as the star guard is officially listed as questionable with a left eye contusion. Mitchell missed Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls due to lingering vision issues stemming from a collision during practice earlier this week.

Why it matters

Mitchell's availability is critical for the Cavaliers as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The six-time All-Star has been the engine of Cleveland's offense, and the team will need him healthy for a deep postseason run.

The details

Mitchell admitted that the eye injury significantly affected his performance in the Cavaliers' game against the Milwaukee Bucks, as he was 'having issues' with blurry vision. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said the team is prioritizing Mitchell's long-term health over a short-term push, which led to him sitting out against the Bulls.

  • Earlier this week, Mitchell suffered the eye contusion during a collision in practice.
  • On Thursday, March 21, 2026, Mitchell missed the Cavaliers' game against the Chicago Bulls.
  • The Cavaliers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

A six-time NBA All-Star and the Cavaliers' franchise cornerstone, who is dealing with a left eye contusion that has affected his vision.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who is taking a cautious approach with Mitchell's injury.

James Harden

The Cavaliers' veteran guard, who stepped up with 36 points and seven 3-pointers in Mitchell's absence against the Bulls.

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' young star big man, who had a dominant 26-point, 14-rebound performance against the Bulls.

Jaylon Tyson

The Cavaliers' rookie who started in place of Mitchell against the Bulls and delivered one of his best performances of the season.

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What they’re saying

“I could not really see out of my left eye.”

— Donovan Mitchell

“He was having issues last game, like blurry [vision]. It's not like a scratched cornea, nothing dangerous, but we got to let it clear up.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach

What’s next

The Cavaliers will continue to monitor Mitchell's recovery and provide an update on his status closer to Saturday's game against the Pelicans. If he is unable to play, Cleveland is expected to lean on a similar rotation that proved effective against the Bulls, with Harden and Mobley leading the offense.

The takeaway

Mitchell's health is crucial for the Cavaliers' playoff aspirations, as the team looks to solidify its position in the Eastern Conference standings. The team's depth and adaptability were on display in the win over the Bulls, but Cleveland will need its star guard fully healthy for a deep postseason run.