Mitchell says Cavaliers ‘deserve’ boos after OT defeat
mitchell-says-cavaliers-deserve-boos-after-ot-defeat
CLEVELAND, Dec. 14, 2025 (AP) — All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said he understood why Rocket Arena jeered the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 119-111 overtime loss to the short-handed Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. “I would boo us, too,” he admitted, moments after pounding the scorer’s table in frustration.
Cleveland missed all 10 field-goal attempts in the extra period and fell to its sixth defeat in the past nine games. Charlotte earned the road win without injured star LaMelo Ball; the Hornets entered the night as one of the league’s weakest road clubs.
Mitchell, who poured in 48 points two nights earlier against Washington, finished with just 17 on 6-of-24 shooting and went 1-for-11 from beyond the arc. He also misfired on a 12-foot jumper at the regulation buzzer that could have won the game. “If I play better, we win,” he said, placing the blame on himself.
The Cavaliers began last season 15-0 under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson but were eliminated in five games by Indiana in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals. This year’s campaign has been marred by injuries and inconsistency.
Center Jarrett Allen returned Sunday after missing nine games with a finger injury, yet Cleveland was without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, who may miss up to a month because of a strained calf. Guard Darius Garland, still managing discomfort from offseason toe surgery, scored 26 points but limped through the closing minutes. Guards Sam Merrill and Max Strus remained sidelined.
Mitchell entered the night averaging 31.3 points, 5.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Despite the recent slide, he insisted the locker room remains united. “I know it’s cloudy. I know it’s dark,” he said. “As long as we stay together, we’ll be all right.”
Source: ESPN
