The pain will finally have got the better of the good will of Donovan Mitchell, suffering from a left knee injury due to a bone contusion. Even though he continued to be productive in terms of statistics in his last matches, the Cavaliers All-Star guard ultimately agreed with the medical staff that it was preferable to undergo a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to relieve him.
JB Bickerstaff expressed his confidence in the process chosen by the medical staff, hoping to once again have a “Spida” in top form.
“We are still worried, but we are convinced that the next steps will be necessary for him to be in good health”, did he declare. “He tried to play anyway, but he was embarrassed and you could see that he didn't have his explosiveness, that he couldn't move in certain directions because of the pain. I'm not a doctor, but from what I hear, time, rest and the process should allow him to regain his full strength.”
The Cavs coach clarified that we still had to wait to see how Donovan Mitchell's knee reacted before being able to get a definitive idea of what happened next.
“I don't like to go beyond my duties, but after three games he will be re-evaluated and we will make a decision,” he added. “Again, I’m hopeful. I don't expect it to be a long break. But we’ll always do what’s best for our guys to make sure they’re healthy.”
| Donovan Mitchell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | UTH | 79 | 33 | 43.7 | 34.0 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.5 |
| 2018-19 | UTH | 77 | 34 | 43.2 | 36.2 | 80.6 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | UTH | 69 | 34 | 44.9 | 36.6 | 86.3 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2020-21 | UTH | 53 | 33 | 43.8 | 38.6 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | UTH | 67 | 34 | 44.8 | 35.5 | 85.3 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 25.9 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 68 | 36 | 48.4 | 38.6 | 86.7 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 28.3 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 47 | 36 | 47.2 | 37.1 | 86.1 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 28.0 |
| Total | 460 | 34 | 45.1 | 36.6 | 84.2 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 24.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
