Cavaliers Star Donovan Mitchell Ruled Out Against Pistons

Cleveland faces Eastern Conference leader Detroit without their leading scorer.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 9:36pm

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The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without star guard Donovan Mitchell for their Friday night matchup against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Mitchell is dealing with a groin injury that will keep him sidelined, according to the official NBA injury report.

Why it matters

Donovan Mitchell is the Cavaliers' leading scorer and one of the top players in the NBA. His absence is a significant blow to Cleveland's chances of defeating the Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference so far this season.

The details

Mitchell, who is averaging 28.1 points per game this season, will miss the game against Detroit due to the groin injury. The Cavaliers have struggled with injuries to key players throughout the year, and this latest setback for Mitchell makes their path to victory against the conference-leading Pistons even more difficult.

  • The Cavaliers play the Pistons on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star guard and leading scorer, averaging 28.1 points per game this season.

Detroit Pistons

The Eastern Conference-leading team that the Cavaliers are scheduled to play on Friday.

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What’s next

The Cavaliers will have to find a way to compete against the Pistons without their top scorer, Donovan Mitchell. They will need other players to step up in his absence.

The takeaway

Injuries continue to plague the Cavaliers this season, and the loss of Donovan Mitchell for their matchup against the conference-leading Pistons is a significant setback. Cleveland will have to find a way to overcome Mitchell's absence and pull off an upset against the Eastern Conference's top team.