Just days ago, the Cavaliers looked lost. Friday’s blowout loss to a mediocre Suns team marked their fourth straight defeat, a brutal fall from grace after their dominant 16-game winning streak. Donovan Mitchell sat at his locker postgame, staring off into the distance, clearly frustrated. The energy in the room was off, and he knew exactly why. Cleveland had lost its rhythm, and with the playoffs approaching, they couldn’t afford to keep spiraling.

Fast forward to Sunday, and the Cavs finally snapped out of it. They responded with a dominant 120-91 win over the Jazz, reclaiming some of the confidence that had slipped away. It wasn’t just about beating a struggling team—it was about rediscovering their identity.

Following their 123-112 loss to the Suns, Spida didn’t shy away from accountability. As reporters crowded around him in the locker room, he owned up to the team’s struggles. “Put this on me, like when your leader ain’t doing, this is what happens,” Spida admitted. “We have to guard better, rebound, and like that. But if I’m not being who I need to be, then this, we’re not going to get to where we’re going to get to.”

True to his word, Mitchell made sure things changed fast. Against the Jazz, he came out aggressive, setting the tone early. His energy was infectious, and the Cavs fed off it. The Cavs cruised to an easy win, but the 6x All-Star wasn’t exactly at his best. His shooting struggles continued as he missed all five of his three-point attempts. Still, he came out aggressive, determined to make an impact by attacking the rim—and that approach paid off.

Evan Mobley credited that shift after the win, emphasizing how the team’s spirit returned. “I think we started off good. We started hot, Don got going, and I feel like that fueled everyone else as well,” Mobley said. “We’re just cheering everyone on, anytime anyone made a good play, cheer him on and made everyone feel good, and we were just playing our brand of basketball.”

Mitchell promised a response, and he delivered. But the turnaround wasn’t just about basketball tactics—it was about mindset. That’s where head coach Kenny Atkinson’s unexpected change of plans came into play.

Instead of a grueling film session to dissect their struggles, the Cavs’ head coach scrapped the idea and went with his gut. He opted for something completely different—HORSE. And as it turned out, that laid-back approach may have been exactly what the team needed.

Sam Merrill, who won the friendly competition, reflected on the decision. “Yeah, I think… we just kind of had to get our juice back and get our spirit back and get our swagger back,” he said. “Maybe [Atkinson] could tell that we needed to get that swagger back, and so we just had some fun yesterday and came out.”

The Cavs didn’t exactly light it up from deep against the Jazz, but the energy was different. The urgency, the desperation—things they had been missing—were finally back. And with their four-game skid officially snapped, Cleveland proved that sometimes, hitting reset can be just as valuable as breaking down film.

For Jazz fans, though, this game wasn’t just about the Cavs getting back on track—it was about Donovan Mitchell’s return.

Jazz fans still have respect for Donovan Mitchell

Utah fans have a reputation for letting former stars hear it when they return. Just ask Gordon Hayward—he still gets booed every time he steps on that court. Deron Williams went through it too, though time eventually softened the hostility. But with Donovan Mitchell, it’s a different story.

When he left in 2022, it wasn’t a bitter breakup. The Jazz had hit a wall, and it was clear they weren’t going to push past it. Through five seasons, Mitchell never trashed the organization or forced his way out. Sure, his relationship with Rudy Gobert had its bumps, but they tried to make it work. The issue was simple: the wins never followed.

Even with the way things ended, Jazz fans still appreciate him. When he stepped onto the court against Utah, the love was loud. Unlike Hayward’s departure, there’s no resentment—only respect for what Mitchell did to keep the Jazz competitive after Hayward left in 2017. Unless he suddenly starts badmouthing the franchise (which isn’t his style), that admiration isn’t going anywhere.

His time in Utah may have been short, but does that mean his jersey won’t be retired? Jeff Hornacek got the honor despite never being a star and only playing six and a half seasons in Utah. If longevity wasn’t an issue for him, why should it be for Mitchell? Then again, Deron Williams had a stronger case, and his number still isn’t up there. One thing’s for sure—if the Jazz ever retire Spida’s jersey, the fans won’t complain.