Donovan Mitchell hit postseason history Monday as his Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 5 from the Detroit Pistons. But he handed Cavs fans a brief scare involving a photographer during Wednesday's NBA Playoffs showdown.
Mitchell grimaced in pain laying on the Little Caesars Arena floor toward the end of the first quarter. The perennial NBA All-Star attempted to hit a layup over two Pistons defenders. But his right foot somehow got caught with a photographer's shoe, bending his ankle awkwardly.
Spida turned his ankle off the photographer's shoe 😳
He was able to stay in the game. pic.twitter.com/wsU3GTgUY1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 14, 2026
The ankle turned awkwardly and Mitchell fell to the ground, leaving Cavs fans gasped. Fortunately “Spida” stayed in the game for Cleveland.
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Mitchell scored eight points through his first 18 minutes on the floor. But he misfired on his first two 3-point attempts and hadn't hit from long range before halftime. Mitchell grabbed three rebounds while also committing two early turnovers.
The Cavs star continues to show his stellar side during this postseason run. Mitchell matched a previous franchise best playoff mark held by Kyrie Irving and LeBron James back on Monday. “Spida” lit the Pistons up with 21 points during the third quarter, tying him with the franchise legends who led Cleveland to the 2016 NBA Finals crown.
He's also performed at a high level in front of his famed R&B fiancée Coco Jones. The Grammy winner is a constant presence around Cavs games to watch Mitchell play.
Cleveland struggled in the first half, though. Detroit took a 60-52 lead at the half behind Cade Cunningham's 20-point outburst. Tobias Harris added 10 points while Daniss Jenkins chipped in nine. James Harden led Cleveland with 13 points followed by Max Strus and his 12 points.
Donovan Mitchell hit postseason history Monday as his Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 5 from the Detroit Pistons. But he handed Cavs fans a brief scare involving a photographer during Wednesday's NBA Playoffs showdown. Mitchell grimaced in pain laying on the Little Caesars Arena floor toward the end of the first quarter.