NBA playoffs put Cavaliers’ new backcourt under intense spotlight
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CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell and James Harden entered the 2026 postseason fully aware that their legacies, and perhaps the future of the NBA’s most expensive roster, hinge on what happens over the next few weeks.
Cleveland traded 26-year-old guard Darius Garland for Harden in February, pairing Mitchell, 29, with a 36-year-old, 11-time All-Star who has reached the playoffs in each of his 17 NBA seasons. Mitchell has a perfect nine-for-nine postseason record of his own, yet neither player owns a championship ring, and Mitchell has never advanced past the second round.
Early struggles magnify pressure
The Cavaliers needed seven games to eliminate the No. 5 Toronto Raptors in the first round, and the numbers for their star tandem dipped as the series wore on. Mitchell opened with consecutive 30-point outings but has averaged 20.5 points over the past six games, shooting 30 percent from three and getting to the foul line just 1.7 times per game. Harden has recorded more turnovers than made field goals in three of his last six contests and has 43 giveaways in eight playoff games, second only to Detroit’s Cade Cunningham (48).
Those issues resurfaced Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, a 109-102 loss to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Harden was 2-for-8 with five turnovers through three quarters before scoring 13 of his 15 points in the fourth. Mitchell finished 2-for-6 in the final period and closed with 21 points. Cleveland trails the series 1-0 heading into Game 2 on Thursday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Chemistry on the clock
Head coach Kenny Atkinson said the duo’s on-court fit appeared “natural” from their first game together. Harden, embracing a more traditional point-guard role, has focused on setting up Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen while sharing scoring duties with Mitchell. Both guards stress constant communication — in practices, on flights and during games — as the quickest path to cohesion.
“I’ll be better, not turning the basketball over,” Harden said after Game 1. Mitchell echoed that sentiment, calling the playoffs an “opportunity” rather than pressure: “We made the moves. We’ve done the talk. Now, just continue to walk the walk.”
Mitchell recalled an early-round moment against Toronto when Harden reminded him to hit an open corner shooter instead of taking a contested three. “That was a nice snapshot of our chemistry,” Mitchell said.
What’s at stake
Cleveland has not advanced beyond the second round since 2018, the final season of LeBron James’ last stint with the franchise. Ending that drought would rewrite narratives for both Harden, often criticized for postseason shortcomings, and Mitchell, still chasing his first conference-finals berth. Failure, meanwhile, could force tough decisions for a front office carrying the league’s priciest payroll.
For now, the Cavaliers insist they remain composed. Atkinson described his stars as “business as usual” leading into their Game 7 win over Toronto, a mindset they aim to carry against Detroit.
“This isn’t pressure,” Mitchell said. “Getting your next meal is pressure. Where am I going to live? That’s pressure. This is fun.”
Source: ESPN
