Donovan Mitchell suggested his lack of “flopping” is keeping him off the free-throw line after the Cleveland Cavaliers dropped Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal, 111–101, to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, May 6, 2026.
The All-Star guard finished with 23 points, ending his NBA-record streak of nine consecutive series openers with at least 30. He attempted only two free throws against Detroit and has been to the stripe 18 times through eight postseason games. During the regular season, he averaged 6.1 attempts per contest.
“I don’t flop, maybe that’s why,” Mitchell told reporters. “I’m just not getting the calls. This has been the entire series, and it’s frustrating. If they’re not going to call it, I’ve got to find a way to finish.”
Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said the club will keep urging Mitchell to attack the rim. “You meet aggressiveness with aggressiveness,” Atkinson said. “Keep getting to the paint; it usually turns with the free throws.”
Detroit shot 35 free throws to Cleveland’s 16, but Mitchell insisted the disparity was not the reason for the loss. The Pistons forced 20 turnovers, converting them into 31 points while limiting the Cavaliers’ backcourt of Mitchell and James Harden. Harden committed seven turnovers and accepted responsibility, saying, “A lot of them are just on me and nothing they did.”
During his postgame session, Mitchell referenced a friend who “got fined for talking about flopping.” He did not name the player, though Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown had been fined $50,000 earlier Tuesday for comments about officiating and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
The Cavaliers will look to even the best-of-seven series in Game 2.
Source: ESPN
