In a dramatic turn of events during Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers' leading scorer Donovan Mitchell was forced to exit the contest at halftime due to a left ankle injury. The Cavaliers faced a daunting 41-point deficit as they struggled to cope with Mitchell's absence, ultimately falling short in a 20-point loss. Mitchell's departure came as a shock to both fans and teammates, with the dynamic guard abruptly halting his warm-up routine after feeling discomfort in his ankle, signaling the beginning of his premature exit from the game.
Prior to his untimely injury, Mitchell had been on a scoring tear, registering consecutive 40-point outings in the playoffs – a feat achieved by a Cavaliers player since the legendary LeBron James. Despite his impactful performance in the series leading up to Game 4, Mitchell's absence in the second half proved to be a significant blow to Cleveland's chances of mounting a comeback. As the Cavaliers now face an uphill battle in the series, Mitchell's health and potential return loom large as pivotal factors in their quest to stay competitive against a determined Pacers team.