Donovan Mitchell didn’t mince words after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season came to a stunning end at home in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers.

Following the 114-105 loss that eliminated the top-seeded Cavaliers from the Eastern Conference semifinals, Mitchell stood in front of reporters, still processing the outcome.

“Just couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it. Don’t want to believe it. Still don’t want to believe it,” Mitchell said.

The Cavaliers went 0-3 at Rocket Arena in the series, a fact that weighed heavily on the All-Star guard.

“This place is really special, and we didn’t get it done,” Mitchell said. “We let the city down.”

Cleveland finished the regular season with 64 wins and swept Miami in the first round, but could not overcome Indiana’s relentless pace, which Mitchell acknowledged postgame.

“You’re fighting an uphill battle against a team that has the fastest pace in league history,” he said, referring to early-series lapses and how they shaped the outcome.

Mitchell, who scored 35 points in Game 5 despite playing on a sprained ankle, pointed to critical breakdowns throughout the series.

“I can’t miss three free throws,” he said. “I can’t go behind my back and lose the ball. Not when Tyrese has hit four threes.”

When asked whether the Cavaliers lacked rhythm coming off a break after the Miami series, Mitchell dismissed the idea.

“Game 1 set the tone,” he said. “It wasn’t rhythm. We just didn’t get it done.”

Despite the disappointment, the 28-year-old said he remains committed to his teammates and the team’s potential.

“I go to battle for every guy in that locker room,” Mitchell said. “We have a window with this group. We believe in each other.”

But he made it clear there are no moral victories.

“We didn’t win a championship, and we didn’t complete the end goal,” he said. “So no, there’s no moral victories here.”

The Pacers became the first team since 2005 to win three road playoff games in Cleveland. Mitchell acknowledged the magnitude of the loss and what it means moving forward.

“These things aren’t easy,” he said. “Just when you think you’ve gotten somewhere, there’s another level.”

As the offseason begins, Mitchell sees the early exit as fuel.

“Everybody’s going to write us off,” he said. “But we’ll be back.”