Donovan Mitchell will not suit up for Game 4 in Cleveland against the Boston Celtics, as his team looks to fend off a 3-1 deficit with the series headed back to Boston on Wednesday.
Mitchell is listed as inactive due to a left calf strain, an injury that has already sidelined both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kristaps Porzingis this postseason. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without their star and main offensive option as they fight for their playoff lives.
In Game 3, Mitchell was the lone bright spot for a Cavaliers team that struggled offensively, tallying 33 points and 7 threes in the 13-point loss. According to the team, Mitchell suffered the injury in the 3rd Quarter of Game 3, but remained in the game albeit with diminished output.
Calf strains have been notoriously challenging injuries for players and teams to manage, as they carry the risk of escalating into an Achilles injury if not given sufficient time to heal. Most famously, Kevin Durant sustained a calf strain in the 2019 playoffs before rupturing his Achilles in the NBA Finals, a major reason the Golden State Warriors lost the title.
The Celtics will be without Porzingis for the fifth straight game, though he did go through a light pregame shoot-around with the media present. However, with Mitchell sidelined, the Celtics will be without excuses in Game 4.
