Donovan Mitchell on 31-4 Cavs: Can we be this team consistently? That’s the challenge

While Mitchell surely will be an All-Star, Niang believes he should be in the MVP conversation and deserves an All-NBA First-Team nod. Mitchell has remained highly productive, averaging 23.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, but naturally, his counting stats aren’t as gaudy as some of the league’s other superstars. Niang praised Mitchel for prioritizing sacrifice for the sake of winning and feels it should be rewarded, pointing to his .457/.413/.815 shooting splits.   “His splits and usage may be down, but he’s shooting at the highest clip of his career,” Niang said. “That sacrifice should be rewarded. He’s the engine that makes us go, and even if his stats don’t reflect it directly, his impact on winning is undeniable.” -via Responsible Gaming / January 6, 2025