Pacers vs. Cavaliers Game 5 Preview: Indiana on Brink, Cleveland’s Hopes Hang on Donovan Mitchell’s Ankle

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Cleveland. OH. (WE) — Donovan Mitchell injury update: The Cleveland Cavaliers may be without their leading scorer in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, as Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle. The injury, which was aggravated during halftime warmups in Game 4, has left Cleveland fans anxiously awaiting his status ahead of the must-win matchup against the Indiana Pacers.

With the Indiana Pacers holding a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals has the makings of a defining moment — not just for this season, but for the future trajectory of both franchises.

And at the heart of it all lies one critical question:
Will Donovan Mitchell play?

Mitchell’s Ankle Could Define the Series

Mitchell, a six-time NBA All-Star, is officially listed as questionable after aggravating a sprained left ankle during warmups at halftime of Cleveland’s demoralizing 129-109 loss in Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

According to the Cleveland Cavaliers medical team, Mitchell underwent an MRI on Monday morning, but the results have not been made public. What is known: the face of the franchise is clearly battling pain — physical and emotional — as Cleveland stares down potential elimination.

“It’s just about doing everything we can to give ourselves a chance,” said Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson. “But obviously, everything changes depending on Donovan’s availability. He’s our engine.”

Mitchell, who has averaged 34.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in the series, has been heroic in keeping Cleveland competitive. But even superhero efforts need support, and right now, the Cavaliers’ depth is cracking under postseason pressure.

Indiana’s Dominance Can’t Be Ignored

On the flip side, Indiana is thriving.

Led by Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, the Pacers have not only won three straight games — including both on the road — they’ve done so with conviction. In Game 4, Indiana raced to a 41-point halftime lead, tying an NBA playoff record. And they did it even after losing aggressive swingman Bennedict Mathurin to an ejection early in the second quarter.

“There’s no fear in our locker room,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said during Monday’s practice. “We respect what Cleveland brings, especially at home. But we believe in what we’re doing.”

The numbers back Carlisle up. Siakam and Turner combined for 41 points and 13 rebounds in Game 4, far outshining Cleveland’s frontline duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, who managed just 12 points and 7 rebounds between them.

Perhaps most impressively, the Pacers have won all four games they’ve played in Cleveland this season — regular season and playoffs combined.

“Nobody Wanted Us to Win” – Indiana Embraces Underdog Role

Siakam, a former NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, has repeatedly emphasized the team’s internal belief. It’s not about external validation.

“We’re in a situation where, at the end of the day, nobody really cared to see us win,” Siakam said after Game 4. “So when you have that belief that it’s us against everybody, it strengthens our bond. That’s our identity.”

It’s working.

Indiana’s high-octane offense, orchestrated by rising star Tyrese Haliburton, has been devastating. They’ve exploited Cleveland’s lack of perimeter defense and clamped down on the Cavs’ historically potent three-point attack.

Cavs’ Shooting Goes Ice Cold

The Cavaliers were among the NBA’s best three-point shooting teams in the regular season, ranking second at 38.3%. That sharpshooting has vanished this series.

In the four games so far, Cleveland is shooting a mere 30.2% from behind the arc. Key role players like Ty Jerome (15.4%), De’Andre Hunter (22.2%), and Dean Wade (22.2%) have been non-factors from long range.

“We made our name this year on defense and shooting the three,” said Atkinson. “But right now, Indiana is taking us out of both. They’ve raised their game to another level, and we didn’t match it.”

The Cavs’ offensive struggles are even more glaring considering their regular-season dominance. They were the top seed in the East for most of the season and won 64 games, many of them by overwhelming opponents early and cruising with their defense and long-range sniping.

Cleveland’s Walking Wounded

Injuries have plagued Cleveland’s postseason. Game 2 was played without Darius Garland (left big toe sprain), Evan Mobley (left ankle sprain), and De’Andre Hunter (right thumb sprain) — all of whom missed the Cavs’ heartbreaking 120-119 loss at home.

Although all three returned for Games 3 and 4, they haven’t played to their full potential. Garland, in particular, has struggled to find his rhythm, and Mobley — who was named 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year — has not impacted the series the way the team expected.

Mobley’s defensive versatility and length were vital in Cleveland’s first-round win over Orlando, but Indiana’s spacing and ball movement have neutralized his effectiveness.

History Offers a Sliver of Hope

If there’s a narrative the Cavaliers are clinging to, it’s this: they’ve come back from a 3-1 deficit before.

During the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and the Cavs famously stormed back to beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games — delivering Cleveland’s first-ever NBA title.

“We’ve done it before,” Garland said after Monday’s shootaround. “This group can do it. We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the skill set. The camaraderie is there. Now we just have to play our brand of basketball.”

But unlike 2016, LeBron isn’t walking through that door. And Mitchell, if he plays, will be doing so on a gimpy ankle.

Game 5: What to Expect

Key Matchups

Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyrese Haliburton – If Mitchell plays, this All-Star guard battle will be electric. Haliburton has been brilliant as a facilitator, averaging over 10 assists per game. Mitchell needs a 40-point night to give Cleveland a shot.
Pascal Siakam vs. Evan Mobley – Siakam’s experience and aggression have outmatched Mobley’s youth. If Mobley can reclaim his DPOY form, Cleveland could slow the game down and control the paint.
Perimeter Shooting – It sounds simple, but Cleveland must hit shots. Indiana is daring Jerome, Wade, and Hunter to make open looks. If they can’t, it’ll be an early night.

X-Factors

Bennedict Mathurin – His ejection in Game 4 lit a fire under Indiana. If he returns with that same energy but keeps his composure, he could be the spark off the bench Indiana needs to close it out.
Caris LeVert – The Cavs swingman has shown flashes of brilliance. He’ll likely get increased minutes if Mitchell is limited. If LeVert can deliver 20+ points, Cleveland’s odds improve drastically.
Crowd Energy – Cleveland fans are passionate, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse can become deafening. But if Indiana races out to another quick lead, the tension may turn to panic.

The Coaches’ Chess Match

Both Carlisle and Atkinson have deep playoff experience. Carlisle, an NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, has crafted a game plan that has made the Pacers look like title contenders.

Atkinson, hired in 2024 after a stint as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, was lauded for his player development and defensive schemes. But he’s been outmaneuvered in this series, especially in transition defense and shot selection.

This game may come down to which coach can make the right in-game adjustments.

Fan Expectations & Ticket Prices

According to SeatGeek, the average ticket price for Game 5 has dropped slightly due to Cleveland’s 3-1 deficit, with upper-level seats starting at around $62 and courtside VIP packages still north of $2,500.

Local fan blogs and Reddit forums have voiced both frustration and optimism, with many pointing to the need for better ball movement and defensive communication.

If Cleveland Loses… What’s Next?

An early second-round exit would raise serious questions for the Cavaliers’ front office. Will Mitchell, who has two years left on his contract, consider asking for a trade? Can Mobley take the leap to become a true No. 2 option?

There will also be scrutiny on the coaching staff. Atkinson has done a solid job in his first year, but high expectations in Cleveland mean results matter — fast.

If Indiana Wins… The East Is on Notice

An Indiana win would mark their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014, when Paul George and company fell to the Miami Heat.

This time, they’d likely face the winner of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers series — both of whom they’ve played tough this season.

Indiana’s blend of youth, toughness, and playoff composure is turning heads across the league. Haliburton looks every bit a franchise cornerstone, and Siakam’s playoff pedigree adds championship experience.

Prediction

If Mitchell plays and is at least 80%, this game could go down to the wire. But if he’s limited or unavailable, it’s hard to imagine Cleveland keeping pace with Indiana’s tempo and chemistry.

Final Score Prediction:
Pacers 116, Cavaliers 108
Indiana wins series 4-1