We’re one game into this Cavs-Pacers series and the storyline is already loud and clear: Donovan Mitchell is out here carrying Cleveland on one leg, one arm, one whatever’s left. With Darius Garland sidelined, Mitchell’s role has gone from star to “do-everything-and-hope-for-the-best.” And both teams can see it unfolding in real time.

Donovan Mitchell dropped 33 in Game 1. He went 13-of-30 from the field and shot 1-of-11 from deep—yeah, you read that right. That number is a huge drop from his usual standard. After all, Cleveland’s main man has been racking up 3s all season, and had converted 14 of his 26 attempts from beyond the arc in the last three games of round 1.

Mitchell boasted a solid 37% in the regular season from the 3-point zone, but the shots stopped dropping in the most important game of the season thus far. Thankfully for the Cavaliers, that is set to be true for the next few games as well. And while this change of habit may be worrying for fans, the Pacers seem wary of the threat he always possesses.

Carlisle gave him his flowers postgame, saying, “He’s going to get clean looks. He just has that kind of strength and explosiveness, and we’re fortunate he missed a lot of ones that he would normally make.” He continued, “They’re very good at what they do. They will adjust and do what they do better. We’ve got to do the same.”

Translation? Nobody’s getting too comfortable. This series is going to be one long film session followed by a bunch of counters, and whoever adjusts better is moving on. Donovan Mitchell’s got the green light, but without Garland out there to help run the show, that light is starting to flicker.

Still, the danger is always there. Carlisle didn’t miss that either. “They missed a lot of ones they’ll normally make,” he said. “And they heaved some at the end… we got to judge it for what it is, not just numbers on a score sheet.” In other words, the scoreboard doesn’t always show how shaky those shots were.

And Mitchell? He kept it honest: “When shots don’t go in, that lets them run.” Defenders are loading up on him, and the help rotations are tighter because nobody’s worried about the Cavs’ spot-up threats. As a team, Cleveland went 9-of-38 from three. That’s not spacing—that’s an open invite for the Pacers to push tempo.

Indiana’s coming in hot. Tyrese Haliburton ran the offense like he was reading a script he wrote himself—22 points, 13 dimes, and all the poise in the world. Pascal Siakam chipped in 17, and Andrew Nembhard came in looking like the surprise boss level with 23 points and five threes. The Pacers shot 19-of-36 from three and turned Cleveland’s 17 turnovers into runway lanes. That was where the game was lost.

Garland’s comeback clock ticks down, and Spida grows tired.

Let’s talk about the ghost in the room—Darius Garland. That sprained toe has turned Cleveland’s backcourt from a two-headed monster into a one-man band. The weight is piling on Spida’s shoulders. Without Garland, there’s no second creator, no proper spacing, and no one to ease the defensive pressure on Donovan Mitchell. Kenny Atkinson preaches patience, treating Garland’s foot like the final boss of this playoff run.

But Carlisle knows it’s coming. “Garland’s gonna be back… probably sooner than later,” he said. The Pacers are prepping like he’s suiting up tomorrow. And when he does, everything changes. The Cavs can actually run their sets without Mitchell having to iso his way into exhaustion.

Carlisle’s not dumb. He knows they’ll have to shift gears. “Andrew [Nembhard] is an All-NBA defender, but Donovan’s a special talent,” he said, low-key admitting they need all hands on deck. So expect more help defense, more talk, and probably some box-and-whatever thrown in just to keep Mitchell guessing.

Both squads know Game 1 was just the opening jab. Carlisle’s already warning his team not to get cute. “They’re good at what they do. They’re gonna adjust.” And he’s not wrong. Cleveland’s been here before—gritty, ugly, grind-it-out hoops until something clicks.

The Pacers? They’re playing free, fast, and with just enough recklessness to be dangerous. Haliburton and Siakam are thriving in the chaos. But they also know this series is hanging on two things: Mitchell’s stamina and Garland’s foot.

Donovan Mitchell throws haymakers, but even superheroes get tired. Garland’s return would be the best sidekick entrance since Robin dropped into Gotham. Until then, it’s Spida vs. the world—and the Pacers are ready to see if he can keep carrying that load.