Cavs' Donovan Mitchell urges NBA to make rule change

Mitchell believes coaches should be able to challenge more than two calls per game.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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After the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss to the Orlando Magic, star guard Donovan Mitchell rewatched the final minutes of the game and noticed several controversial calls that went against his team. Mitchell believes the NBA should change the rule that limits coaches to only two challenges per game, even if they win both of them. He plans to discuss this issue with league decision-makers in the offseason, arguing that game-changing plays should be reviewable beyond the current two-challenge limit.

Why it matters

The NBA's challenge system is intended to correct clear officiating errors, but Mitchell feels the current two-challenge limit is too restrictive, especially when coaches successfully overturn calls. This issue could have major implications for close, high-stakes games like potential playoff matchups.

The details

In Wednesday's game, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson successfully challenged two calls in the first half, but was unable to challenge several questionable calls late in the game when his team was mounting a comeback. Mitchell believes these missed calls were "game-changing plays" that should have been reviewable, even after the team had exhausted its two challenges.

  • The Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic, 128-122, on March 12, 2026.
  • Atkinson's first successful challenge came with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.
  • Atkinson's second and final successful challenge came at the 1:12 mark of the third quarter.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

The star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Vice President of the NBA Players Association.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James Harden

A player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mo Wagner

A forward for the Orlando Magic.

Jett Howard

A player for the Orlando Magic.

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What they’re saying

“I do feel like there were some tough calls that didn't go our way. I got fouled on a 3 and I'm having a hard time with the rule of once you've had two challenges you can't get any more, especially when you win both.”

— Donovan Mitchell (cleveland.com)

“Maybe I'm biased because it happened to us twice in game-ending situations the past two and a half or three weeks, but they are game-changing plays. It happened in Detroit. It happened here. Both of them on TV. I don't know what the rule should be. If you're winning challenges, especially on calls that are very obvious, I think it's something that should be talked about.”

— Donovan Mitchell (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Mitchell plans to discuss the challenge rule with NBA decision-makers this offseason in hopes of getting the league to consider a change.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing debate around the NBA's challenge system and whether the current two-challenge limit is too restrictive, especially when coaches successfully overturn calls. Mitchell's push for reform could lead to meaningful changes that impact close, high-stakes games in the future.