Donovan Mitchell certainly wasn’t incorrect when he previewed Game Three’s outlook by recognizing that Cleveland had “no choice” but to “get two in Indy” after falling behind 0-2. Fusing fearlessness and creativity into the night’s attack, Mitchell eventually found that getting those “twos” led to and-one whistles, and zero doubt about his reputation as a top-shelf postseason performer. Intentional about reviving the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season almost immediately, Mitchell navigates through a heavy-traffic pick-and-roll, intuitively using a whirlwind-like spin move that positions him within reasonable distance of the rim. As if waiting for Myles Turner’s vertical leap to expire before deciding his finish, Mitchell defies gravity with an acrobatic, double-clutch banker, plus a foul and flex, sending a message on the type of night May 9, 2025 was poised to become. In between second-chance points, well-schemed zones, and Mitchell’s superstar-like elevation, the top-seeded Cavaliers faced little threat against the Indiana Pacers. Three nights after a 48-point fireworks display, Mitchell’s encore featured 43 points — joining “you-know-who” as the only Cavaliers with consecutive 40-point postseason games — supported by nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers. · May 9, 2025