Donovan Mitchell delivered a detailed postgame reflection after a 116-109 playoff win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Rocket Arena, focusing heavily on late-game execution, trust, and the role of James Harden in the closing stretch.
Mitchell immediately addressed Harden’s decisive sequence without hesitation. “It’s James Harden. I mean, I feel like we’ve been seeing that for 17 years,” he said. “You had no doubt the right play was going to be made. Passing, scoring, obviously hit some big time shots, but late game it’s always great to be able to just give him space and let him attack.”
The Cavaliers guard emphasized how Cleveland’s late-game structure shifted as possessions tightened. “It’s James Harden, right? I am who I am, he is who he is, but that’s what makes us so dynamic,” Mitchell said. “Now with the way they’re guarding me, it’s kind of like four on four in a sense.”
He also detailed how spacing and role clarity impacted Cleveland’s execution. “If you have another guy that can create the way I can, the way he can, he gets in the paint and there’s no help. It’s that balance,” Mitchell said. “You attack, you’re on the side. It also gives you rest as well.”
The All-Star guard stressed that the Cavaliers’ adjustment came through communication and repetition. “Every game calls for something different, and you got to be able to just find a way to manipulate it and be selfless,” he added.
Mitchell also explained why Harden’s reputation influenced his trust level so quickly despite limited time as teammates. “You see the work, right? At the end of the day, he works really hard at his game and his resume speaks for himself,” Mitchell said. “We’ve seen him thrive. Keep being yourself.”
Cleveland’s ability to secure key stops and plays late was another focus, especially the impact of Max Strus. “I’m just so happy for him. The box score shows seven points, but crucial seven points, crucial plays,” Mitchell said. “There’s so many things he does that don’t show up on the box score.”
Mitchell also referenced the emotional weight of playoff basketball in Cleveland. “It’s one game, right? It’s 2-1. We’re still down. We still got to take care of home court,” he said. “To play in front of these fans is an honor and a privilege.”
On his own offensive rhythm, Mitchell pointed to how Cleveland’s frontcourt work shaped his production. “They were trying to keep Duren and Stewart off the board. So somebody’s got to come in and grab the rebound,” he said, referencing Detroit’s interior pressure and Cleveland’s response.
The Cavaliers star also described the evolving chemistry with Harden as an ongoing process. “It’s still a work in progress, but each night, each game, each battle through adversity, it just continues to help,” Mitchell said. “We’re three months in. This Pistons team has been together for a whole season.”
With the series shifting back to Cleveland for Game 4, Mitchell kept the focus on execution rather than momentum. “We got one win, we got to get another one,” he said. “I’m really present on that.”
