Cavs star Donovan Mitchell’s powerful locker room speech will fire up fans

Clevelanders are probably beaming with enthusiasm after hearing the face of the franchise declare the Cavaliers’ lofty playoff mission, which includes toppling the team with the best record in the league. Few people outside that locker room believe the Cavs can outlast the Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven series, but Mitchell and company are not bringing a slingshot with them to TD Garden.

They do not view this as a David vs. Goliath showdown. Cleveland has full confidence in its roster, mental fortitude and head coach. As Mitchell said himself, this team was assembled to compete for an Eastern Conference crown.

It might seem silly to entertain that possibility, considering the Cavs just advanced in the postseason sans LeBron James for the first time since 1993, but some of the greatest runs were sparked from the first breakthrough.

Donovan Mitchell comes through in the Cavs’ time of need

The notion that the Cavaliers could compete with the Celtics likely had people choking with laughter with about five minutes left to play in the first half of Sunday’s Game 7. They were a disjointed and seemingly lethargic mess, as Paolo Banchero and the Magic displayed poise well beyond their years. But the roles were reversed in the final 24 minutes, thanks in large part to a Donovan Mitchell surge.

One must properly praise Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert for their significant contributions, but No. 45 met the standard that is expected of him, the one that is consistently needed if the Cavs are going to push the Celtics to the brink. Despite a painfully slow start, Mitchell finished with 39 points, 17 of which came in the second half.

He completely altered the trajectory of the contest with his third-quarter eruption. Cleveland, once down 18 points, outscored Orlando 33-15 and entered the final frame with an eight-point lead. Mitchell also grabbed nine rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded one steal and block apiece.

When factoring in the 50 points he scored in the Game 6 loss, it is clear the five-time All-Star is embracing his responsibility as the No. 1 option on this squad. On and off the court. While his future with the organization may be unknown, Donovan Mitchell is fully devoted to leading the Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Can the Cavaliers bring it all together vs. Celtics?

Approximately three months ago, Cleveland looked to be the biggest threat to Boston’s quest for conference supremacy. The team won 17 of 19 games to begin the new year, putting itself within striking distance of first place.

During this span, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff integrated Darius Garland and Evan Mobley back into the lineup after lengthy injury absences. There were no lapses in chemistry. Finally, everything was clicking for the Cavaliers. This new version of title contenders eventually faded, however.

Mitchell suffered a bone bruise in his knee in February, thus hindering the Cavs for the remainder of the regular season. They have not won more than two consecutive games since their incredible run ended. The 27-year-old is still dealing with the issue, but he is rising above the pain.

It will presumably take the best stretch of his career, and strong reinforcements, to vanquish the Celtics. Mitchell has witnessed firsthand the resolve his teammates are capable of displaying against this juggernaut. While he was sidelined, Cleveland completed an unfathomable fourth-quarter comeback on the strength of a red-hot Dean Wade.

It might have been a fluke, but the Cavs boast both talent and depth. If center Jarrett Allen returns for Game 1, they will have the upper hand in the size department, particularly with Kristaps Porzingis nursing a calf injury.

These circumstances, along with the perseverance Cleveland has exemplified in the past, are why Donovan Mitchell is confidently reminding the Cavaliers of their ultimate goal. Ideally, his words will be ringing in their ears when they face the Celtics in Game 1 on Tuesday night.