Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell was an image of misery when he talked to reporters after losing to the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their second-round series, 114-105, on Tuesday. The top-seeded Cavaliers got eliminated by the fourth-seeded Pacers, ending what had been their best campaign in recent years.

For the second straight season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have failed to advance past the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. And this time around, it's hard to label it as anything other than an abject failure.

Donovan Mitchell missed the second half of the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers after what the team announced as a left ankle injury. It was a gut punch to what was an embarrassing loss for the top-seeded Cavaliers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to be different this year. Stronger. Deeper. Finally ready to make a deep playoff push behind Donovan Mitchell and a retooled roster. But instead of celebrating a run to the Eastern Conference Finals,

May 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Shortly after the final buzzer, Mitchell was seen having words with Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who went off for 31 points and eight assists to lead Indiana to the victory. The two superstars exchanged pleasantries after the game as they commended each other for a hard-fought series.