Cavaliers Face Key Injury Questions Ahead of Pivotal Game 5 Against Pacers

Sports

• Cedric Malan
• May 14, 2025
• 0 Comments

Cleveland's Lineup Uncertainty: All Eyes on Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell

The Cleveland Cavaliers came into Game 5 of their second-round playoff matchup against the Indiana Pacers facing more questions than answers about their roster. While most fans were hoping for clarity around Evan Mobley’s availability, the team has kept things close to the chest. No official word about the extent of Mobley's setback came out, leaving fans anxiously refreshing their phones for updates. His presence in the paint—crucial for defense and rebounding—hung in the balance, creating a serious sense of unpredictability for Cleveland’s rotation.

But Mobley wasn’t the only Cavalier at the center of this drama. The focus quickly shifted to Donovan Mitchell, who’s been managing a nagging left ankle sprain. Mitchell did go through shootaround the morning of Game 5, but was officially labeled as questionable. Even if he suited up, the big question remained: how much explosion and lateral movement could Cleveland realistically expect from him on a compromised ankle?

This is the kind of uncertainty that can swing a playoff series. Mitchell, when healthy, drives the Cavalier offense, attacks gaps, and changes the pace of the game. Playing at less than one hundred percent, though, he risks being a shadow of himself. Yet in the playoffs, stars often play through pain—Mitchell’s willingness to push through could easily become the defining storyline for Cleveland’s postseason journey.

Pacers Dealing With Their Own Setback

The Indiana Pacers weren’t immune to the injury bug, either. The team officially ruled out Isaiah Jackson due to a right Achilles tendon tear—a blow to their frontcourt depth. For Indiana, Jackson’s energy and shot-blocking ability off the bench gave them valuable flexibility, especially in the absence of All-Star-caliber bigs. His injury means more minutes for less seasoned reserves, possibly leaving the Pacers vulnerable around the rim. How this shifts the matchup dynamic is hard to overstate.

With two key rotations in flux, both head coaches have to get creative with their game plans. Cleveland, in particular, has to consider whether to roll the dice with Mobley and Mitchell, or to lean harder on their second unit. Will they chase a series-clinching win at the risk of aggravating injuries, or trust their backups to get them over the line?

On the Indiana side, losing Jackson adds pressure on their remaining bigs to avoid foul trouble and stay aggressive. Expect coaches to adjust substitution patterns and mix in unexpected matchups in an attempt to catch the opponent off guard.

• Cleveland Cavaliers remain tight-lipped about Evan Mobley’s exact injury, with his game status still unclear.
• Donovan Mitchell’s participation in the shootaround raises hopes, but only minutes before tip-off would reveal if he’d truly be himself.
• Indiana Pacers officially ruled Isaiah Jackson out, reshaping their bench rotation and defensive schemes.

This is the kind of tense playoff atmosphere where the absence or limited effectiveness of just one key player—let alone two—can swing a whole season. The fans, the front offices, and the rest of the league are watching closely: for who suits up, how much they can give, and which team finds a way to adapt on the fly when the stakes are highest.