Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade had an interesting message for Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell after Cleveland was knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by the Indiana Pacers.
Despite finishing the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs were eliminated in five games in the second round. They lost three games at home, despite some strong showings from Mitchell in the series.
“He’s judged by what he does in the playoffs,” Wade said. “What he does in the regular season, that’s what he do. He’s been doing it since he came into the league. Now, this is where he’s judged.
“And he has to find a way – like you said – obviously his leadership, he can’t do it all, of course. Everything has to go right, but he has to find a way because he wants to be in that conversation with the greats. He puts the work in. He has the ability. He wants to be in the conversation. He has to find a way. And so, I want to see what his summer is going to be like.”
Wade said that he loved seeing Mitchell sitting out in the arena after the game, taking things all in after the Cavs lost.
“Take it all in,” Wade said. “Feel that pain. Feel that hurt. Envision yourself being out here next year.”
Mitchell has never made it out of the second round of the playoffs in his NBA career. Since joining the Cavs, he has led the franchise to two playoff series victories, one in the 2023-24 season and one this season.
Cleveland knocked off the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, sweeping the No. 8 seed in the East.
However, with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley both missing time in the second round, the Cavs were unable to hold off a Pacers team that has now made the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons.
Mitchell played well against Indiana, as he scored 33 points in Game 1, 48 points in Game 2, 43 points in Game 3 and 35 points in Game 5. He finished the series averaging 34.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the field.
Now, Mitchell and the Cavs have a long offseason ahead as they attempt to improve ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Cleveland has been the No. 4 seed or better in the Eastern Conference in each of the last three seasons, but it has yet to make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Hopefully, Mitchell can take Wade’s advice and lead Cleveland to new heights in the 2025-26 campaign.