Donovan Mitchell was expected to practise fully before the playoffs after missing Cleveland’s final four regular-season games with a sprained ankle.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said on 13 April 2025 that the team’s leading scorer was progressing towards its first-round opener.
Mitchell moves from rehabilitation to scrimmages
Mitchell completed a full workout at Cleveland’s training facility and took part in court work before the regular-season finale.
“I think he’ll be full on with practice,” Atkinson said. “We’re going to have to scrimmage at some point, probably inter-squad with refs, so he’ll participate in that.&
Atkinson said the priority was rebuilding both Mitchell’s ankle strength and his conditioning.
Late-season sprain costs Mitchell four games
Mitchell injured his left ankle in the third quarter of a loss to Sacramento on 6 April. He returned later in the game and finished with 19 points, but did not play again during the regular season.
The Cavaliers rested nine players in their finale against Indiana after securing the East’s top seed.
Cleveland waits for its first-round opponent
Cleveland finished 64-18, the second-best record in franchise history and its first No. 1 seed since the 2016 championship season.
Mitchell averaged 24 points in 71 games and earned a sixth consecutive All-Star selection. With several days before Game 1, Cleveland expected its primary scorer to be ready rather than merely available.
