Donovan Mitchell reveals which moment vs. Indiana Pacers changed the course of the series: “I should have gotten open”

Donovan Mitchell reveals which moment vs. Indiana Pacers changed the course of the series: “I should have gotten open”

 

I Should Have Gotten Open”: Donovan Mitchell Reflects on Pivotal Moment in Series vs. Pacers

 

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard **Donovan Mitchell** has pinpointed one defining moment in their Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Indiana Pacers that shifted the momentum and, ultimately, the series: his failure to get open for a crucial play late in Game 2.

 

### 🕒 The Turning Point

 

Game 2 saw Cleveland leading by seven points with under a minute remaining. Mitchell, who poured in a staggering **48 points**, revealed after the game that he had a designed opportunity to create separation—and he didn’t:

 

> **“I should have gotten open,”** Mitchell admitted, acknowledging a lapse that allowed Indiana to seize control in crunch time ([basketballnetwork.net][1], [fearthesword.com][2]).

 

His regret struck a chord: the Pacers grabbed those final possessions, and Tyrese Haliburton knocked down the game-winning three-pointer—tilting the series in undefeated fashion.

 

### 🔍 Mitchell’s Self-Critique

 

Despite his individual brilliance, Mitchell insisted the series wasn’t just about his scoring—it hinged on execution of key plays when they mattered most:

 

* He emphasized passing up a contested shot, opting instead to drive and create, expecting teammates to fill spots.

* Reflecting on the miss, he said: *“That was on me. I had my chance.”* His acknowledgment underscored a star taking responsibility for a collective loss.

 

According to reports, the Cavs team-wide commitment to fundamentals—particularly in critical inbound and timeout scenarios—unraveled at the worst possible moment .

 

### 📉 Impact on the Series

 

Indiana turned that win into a 2–0 lead with a momentum swing. That collapse in Game 2 haunted Cleveland, despite a bounce-back **126-104 victory in Game 3**, where Mitchell persisted with another 40-point performance .

 

The Cavs ultimately couldn’t recover and were eliminated, finishing the series with Game 5 on Indiana’s home floor after Mitchell again offered strong numbers despite his earlier misstep ([washingtonpost.com][3]).

 

### 🏆 Beyond the Series

 

Mitchell’s career has been marked by self-reflection and accountability. After shattering the Cavaliers’ record books with back-to-back 40+ point playoff games—emulating legends like LeBron James—he now zeroes in on that single missed play:

 

> *“I gave everything out there, but that moment turned the tide. I need to be better next time.”*

 

### 📝 Final Thought

 

In playoff basketball, heroics earn headlines—but timing and execution decide outcomes. Donovan Mitchell’s candid moment—*“I should have gotten open”*—reveals that even elite performances aren’t immune to the razor-thin margins of postseason play.

 

And for the Cavaliers, that moment won’t be forgiven any time soon.