After losing to the Indiana Pacers in five games, Donovan Mitchell remains optimistic that the Cavs will bounce back stronger.

Donovan Mitchell made a point in going back out onto the court at Rocket Arena minutes after suffering a Game 5 loss to the Indiana Pacers, which eliminated the

The Cavaliers were largely competitive in their second-round series with the Pacers, at least outside of Game 4's blowout, but the playoff margins are razor thin. All it took were a few poorly timed injuries,

The Indiana Pacers fought back from a 19-point, second-quarter deficit to eliminate the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers from the NBA playoffs and reach the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight year.

The Indiana Pacers are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year, showing how far they’ve come — and how well the Pascal Siakam trade has worked. After beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games,

The series took a stunning turn when the Cavaliers blew a seven-point lead in the final 48 seconds of Game 2, sending them into a 2-0 deficit they were unable to fight back from. The Cavaliers also dealt with health issues as Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, DeAndre Hunter, and Evan Mobley battled injuries in this series.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points, Pascal Siakam added 21 and the Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 114-105 victory over Cleveland, eliminating the top-seeded Cavaliers in five games.

“It was kind of now or never,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. “You’re banged-up … you had to test it today.” Atkinson was talking about how Evan Mobley (sprained ankle), Darius Garland (toe injury) and De’Andre Hunter (dislocated right thumb) missed Game 2. Garland had missed the previous six playoff games.