Donovan Mitchell to Miss Second Straight Game Friday
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell will sit out for the second game in a row because of a strained right groin, the team confirmed ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
Mitchell, a seven-time All-Star, also missed Wednesday’s loss in Milwaukee. Cleveland is 2–3 this season when he is unavailable. The 29-year-old last played Tuesday against New York, posting 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes during a victory over the Knicks.
Through 55 appearances in 2025-26, Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48.3% from the field, 36.9% from three-point range and 85.2% at the foul line. He is logging 33.5 minutes per game.
Backcourt injuries piling up
Mitchell’s absence could be compounded by other backcourt concerns. James Harden, who joined Cleveland during the offseason, is listed as questionable for Friday with a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb. The former MVP had the thumb heavily wrapped when he left the locker room Wednesday and did not play against the Bucks. The injury is to his non-shooting hand.
Backup guard Keon Ellis also fractured a finger on his non-shooting hand — the left index — and is questionable for the Pistons game after logging 29 minutes in Milwaukee. Additionally, point guard Dennis Schröder and forward Dean Wade are both dealing with right ankle sprains and carry questionable designations.
Source: Hoops Rumors
