Cavs' Donovan Mitchell Rallies Team Ahead of Playoffs

After a season marked by adversity, Mitchell leads Cleveland into the postseason with renewed belief and no more excuses.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Cavaliers basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the team's drive and resilience as they enter the playoffs.Donovan Mitchell's rallying cry to the Cavaliers underscores the team's determination to overcome past playoff disappointments and reach new heights.Cleveland Today

Ahead of the playoffs, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell gathered his teammates to deliver a message: The time is now. After years of playoff disappointments and a season shaped by injuries and roster changes, Mitchell is guiding Cleveland into the postseason with a sharpened focus and unwavering belief in the team's potential, despite external doubts. With the opponent and path still unclear, Mitchell is drawing on past lessons to ensure the Cavs are ready to execute when it matters most.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers have been knocking on the door of the NBA Finals for years, but have yet to break through. This season's journey has been particularly challenging, with injuries and roster turnover testing the team's resilience. Mitchell's leadership in rallying the group and maintaining belief could be the key to finally taking the next step in the playoffs.

The details

After the Cavs' 51st win of the season, Mitchell gathered the team in the locker room to deliver a message. He acknowledged the team's past playoff disappointments, from the Knicks series to the Celtics and Pacers matchups, but said those experiences have only strengthened their resolve. This season has forced the Cavs to adapt and grow, with Mitchell himself adjusting his game to preserve his body for the postseason grind. Despite the roster churn and early-season struggles, Mitchell never wavered in his belief in the team's potential, and now that belief is demanding a different version of him as the playoffs approach.

  • The Cavaliers have two regular season games remaining before the playoffs begin.
  • Cleveland is still jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference, with the difference between the third and fourth seeds still unsettled.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star guard, who has played in the most games for Cleveland this season (70). Mitchell is leading the team into the playoffs with renewed belief after years of postseason disappointments.

Darius Garland

The Cavaliers' former starting point guard, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers this season as the team's era with Mitchell and Garland came to an end.

Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers' starting center, who has dealt with early finger injuries and is now managing severe knee tendinitis.

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' second-year forward, who has had to adjust his game and find his space as a reliable offensive hub, especially when Mitchell was off the floor.

Max Strus

The Cavaliers' newly acquired guard, who missed the first 67 games of the season due to offseason foot surgery.

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What they’re saying

“'It's a mental thing. I've said this all year. Physically, on paper, you look at us like, man, Finals team, right? But that doesn't mean anything. We got to go out there and execute it. I talked to the guys after the game, and I said we've had times in years past as a collective where we get down, sometimes it's wavered, and some we were young. We were young.'”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard

“'We've never wavered. I think, no offense to y'all [the media], I think y'all have wavered on us a few times. But I've never wavered. We've never wavered.'”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard

“'I don't know if it's Kenny challenging us or just us as a group looking within and just being like, it's time to be serious about this ... really lock in defensively and offensively to make sure we're ready for the playoffs.'”

— Max Strus, Cavaliers Guard

“'The good thing about it is we have a really good team. If we didn't have the talent, then it'd be difficult. But we have the team.'”

— James Harden

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This season has been a journey of growth and resilience for the Cavaliers, and Donovan Mitchell's leadership in rallying the team ahead of the playoffs could be the key to finally breaking through and reaching the NBA Finals. The Cavs have the talent, but now they must prove they can execute when it matters most.