Donovan Mitchell Responds to Questions About Cavaliers Future
The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered another failed run at an NBA championship despite high hopes entering the 2026 postseason.
On Monday night, the Cavaliers were handed a lopsided 130-93 loss in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This result completed the series sweep for the New York Knicks, who punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
While the Cavaliers delivered a disappointing all-around performance, superstar guard Donovan Mitchell held up his end of the bargain with a game-high 31 points.
Mitchell, who joined the Cavaliers in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz before the 2022-23 NBA season, is eligible to sign a contract extension with the franchise this offseason. After Cleveland’s Game 4 loss, he was asked if he hopes to take that route and remain with the team moving forward.
“I love it here. I don't know how else to say it, but I love it here,” Mitchell said. “We have unfinished business. This city deserves a ring and we're just gonna keep going."
Veteran guard James Harden also said he “100%” hopes to return to Cleveland in 2026-27.
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Mitchell likened this playoff experience to some the Knicks have experienced in the past.
“I have no doubt that this group can get there. I’ve said that all year,” Mitchell said postgame. “This team that we just faced had to go through this. Maybe not this way, but they’ve been a core group and had to go through this tough experience. It’s our turn. I’m sorry for the city of Cleveland for it to be like this in a sweep, that’s [expletive].”
“We’ll be back,” he concluded.
More Basketball:Cavaliers Coach Kenny Atkinson Praises Knicks for Playoff ‘Heater'
The Knicks will face off against the winner of the Western Conference Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 9:29 PM.