It’s interesting to note how winning brings a shift in confidence and mentality. When the Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed the Indiana Pacers to their home on Sunday, little did they know a tornado was building. Because what happened next was out of the syllabus for Donovan Mitchell & Co. Fresh off a Round 1 sweep, the Cavs aimed to recreate the magic in the Semis. However, Tyrese Haliburton & Co. said, “Hold on.”

The Pacers crashed the Cleveland party with a bold 121 to 112 win in Game 1, seizing control early and silencing a second-half Cavs surge. They struck early, weathered the Cavs’ comeback, then let Haliburton seal it with a cold-blooded three and a statement block. Meanwhile, the Cavs went ice-cold from deep. Therefore, Spida Mitchell didn’t flinch before the media—“We missed good looks,” he said, owning the first heartbreak of this postseason.

“We missed a lot of good looks. When you miss shots, that’s when they get going in transition. I liked a lot of the looks we got. I was 1-of-11 from three, and some of them were wide open—shots I’ve made before,” Donovan Mitchell admitted. “The biggest thing is when the shots aren’t falling, how do we respond? When a team like this runs like that, it makes it tough. We missed shots, but we’ll be better and ready for Game 2.” What truly sank the Cavs in Game 1 wasn’t the Pacers’ fire—it was their own frostbite from deep, shooting a dismal 9 of 38 from three. Mitchell had it worse, going 1 of 11 as the rim turned ice cold when it mattered most.

Now, talking about adjustments in the game, the 28-year-old point guard said, “I think in the first half, they dictated. Throughout the game, they dictated. In the third quarter, we made our run and figured out different things.” Indiana stormed ahead with an 11-point lead after the first and stayed in charge until Cleveland sparked to life down 12 in the third. The Cavs even grabbed the lead. With only 2 threes on 6 tries, Tyrese hit a clutch one late and sealed it with a key block.

“I won’t say we figured it out because we lost, but some things worked,” Mitchell also added. “Now we have to watch why it worked and go from there. Give them credit. They came in and dictated the game. It’s on us to make adjustments and be ready for Game 2.”

Meanwhile, the fresh Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, talked about pace, offensive, and defensive struggles. Scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals, the power forward said, “We didn’t have the best pace. Like you said, we don’t practice at that pace, so it’s definitely different.” He further noted: “Being out there in a playoff atmosphere, everything’s high intensity. We have to play with more pace offensively, get to our spots, and knock down shots. That’s really all it is. I feel like we got a lot of good looks—we just have to make them. I feel like we will next game.” 

Well, the lights aren’t off on the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ semi-finals just yet. And whatever Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley had to say was a clear indication of bouncing back and hope. However, the best side of the first loss is that nothing much has changed in the Cavs’ locker room.

Donovan Mitchell & Co.’s locker room scenes remain unchanged despite the loss

After an 11-point, 30-minute game against the Indiana Pacers, the Cavs’ small forward De’Andre Hunter rested in the locker room. Exhausted from the grueling matchup that didn’t end up as expected, the 27-year-old teammate of Donovan Mitchell answered the media’s questions.

The reporters asked him about the overall vibe in the locker room after their first loss of the postseason. Hunter replied, “We’re good. Not happy, obviously, to lose, but it’s a long series and we’re going to be ready next game.” Well, who likes to lose the game? Especially if you’re the 1st seed of the East, losing doesn’t seem like an option at all.

But now, it’s time to move on. Leaving behind the dust from Indiana’s sandstorm, Mitchell & Co. are ready for the next game. Feeling demotivated was never on the table, therefore, a comeback becomes necessary. However, the Pacers, as it looks like, aren’t going to be the easiest rivals. Therefore, Kenny Atkinson and his squad need to be ready. Will they bounce back?