Cavs' Mitchell to start must-win Gm. 5 vs. Pacers

Cavaliers prima Donovan Mitchell was successful the starting lineup for Cleveland's must-win Game 5 of its second-round bid against the Indiana Pacers connected Tuesday contempt dealing with a sprained near ankle.

But Cavs defender Sam Merrill did not play due to the fact that of a cervix strain.

The No. 4-seeded Pacers, up successful the bid 3-1, tin adjacent it retired Tuesday nighttime successful Cleveland, wherever they've already won twice, and beforehand to the Eastern Conference finals for the 2nd consecutive year.

Mitchell, who had been listed arsenic questionable, came retired for his accustomed pregame shooting regular little than an hr earlier tipoff. Coach Kenny Atkinson said during his pregame availability that the All-Star defender had participated successful Tuesday morning's shootaround.

"We cognize the concern we're in. I can't springiness you a definitive, but my anticipation is that helium plays," Atkinson said.

Mitchell provided an aboriginal hint astir his presumption 3 hours earlier the crippled erstwhile helium took to X with the Cavaliers' hashtag taxable of #LetEmKnow.

#LetEmKnow

He did not play the 2nd fractional of the Cavaliers' nonaccomplishment astatine Indiana connected Sunday aft helium appeared to acquisition symptom with the ankle portion warming up during halftime.

Mitchell archetypal suffered the wounded connected April 6 during the 2nd fractional against the Sacramento Kings. He stepped connected the ft of Sacramento's Keon Ellis adjacent midcourt earlier losing his equilibrium and rolling his near ankle.

Mitchell sat retired the past 4 games of the regular play due to the fact that of the injury. He is averaging 28.9 points during the playoffs, including 5 games with astatine slightest 30 points.

Merrill, who averaged 7.2 points disconnected the seat this season, scored 14 points against the Pacers successful Game 2.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.