Donovan Mitchell is comfortable taking a step back from being the primary scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This comes after the team took a 3-2 lead against the Toronto Raptors, with Mitchell sitting out the fourth quarter of Game 5.
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Donovan Mitchell admits that he is okay with taking a step back from being the go-to guy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the lead, as they now have a 3-2 lead against the Toronto Raptors after a strong Game 5 performance. It was a solid and well-rounded performance from the Cavaliers, which involved head coach Kenny Atkinson opting to sit Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in the fourth quarter.
It is a bold move to make, especially since that duo is considered the Cavaliers' best players. However, Atkinson saw what was working in the fourth, so he rode the momentum. Mitchell himself was fine with the decision because he saw the same thing as his coach.
Atkinson's gamble paid off for the Cavaliers because they won Game 5. Everyone knows that Mitchell is the Cavs' superstar, but even he knew that his teammates were playing much better basketball in the fourth quarter. Considering it was a close game, he was willing to stick with what was working.
Donovan Mitchell sat out the fourth quarter as head coach Kenny Atkinson opted to ride the momentum of the game, which was working well without him.
Donovan Mitchell is open to taking a step back from being the go-to scorer, allowing for a more balanced team performance.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 against the Toronto Raptors, taking a 3-2 lead in the series.
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That is a sign that he is a great teammate and leader for the Cavaliers. Atkinson admitted that he was surprised that the Cavs were willing to stick with him and his decision, but they were right to trust him because the Cavaliers are now one game away from advancing into the second round.
Mitchell himself is not too worried about himself because all that matters to him is the victory. It does not matter if he, Mobley, James Harden, or Jarrett Allen have bad games. The important thing for him is getting the win, no matter what their numbers are.
"It's on me to take a step back. There’s a trust level. It’s the playoffs, it doesn’t matter who it is. I know who I am, y'all know who I am. To me, I could score zero, and if we win, that's all that matters. I don't give a damn," Mitchell said after the Cavs' impressive Game 5 victory.
Mitchell and the Cavaliers have one foot in the door for the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They want to redeem themselves from their loss last season, and that could involve Mitchell bouncing back after a rough stretch recently.