Donovan Mitchell sends reality check to Cavs teammates following 3-0 start to season

The Cleveland Cavaliers are tied with the Boston Celtics for the top record in the Eastern Conference at 3-0 after their win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday. All three of Cleveland’s wins to this point have come by 12 points or more, so it’s hard to imagine that the Cavaliers could have gotten off to a more promising start to the new campaign.

However, it’s worth noting that the Cavaliers’ wins have come against subpar competition. Thus far, Cleveland has beaten the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Wizards, all of whom won 25 games or fewer during the 2023-24 regular season. Those teams have a combined record of 1-7 this season.

Given the circumstances, Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell recently issued a reality check to his teammates. He expressed that they were supposed to come out on top in each of their first three contests (as they did) and explained that they will face tougher opponents in the near future.

“How do I say this,” Mitchell said when asked about the message he gave his teammates following their latest win. “We took care of business. We did what we’re supposed to do for these three games. But now, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, that’s where we really see what we’re made of as a group and if our habits continue through with tougher opponents and tougher games.

“Not every game’s going to be a 20-point blowout. Just understanding that it’s nice and we’re doing a lot of great things, but also have to keep in mind the tougher tests are coming up.”

Mitchell is seemingly correct in his belief that the Cavaliers will be tested more next week after the team was handed a somewhat soft schedule in the first week of the season. Cleveland’s four games next week will come against playoff contenders in their respective conferences: the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers have maybe played the best basketball of any of those teams to kick off the season. Like the Cavaliers, Los Angeles is also 3-0 with wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.

Mitchell has been key to the Cavaliers’ blazing start, and in order for the team to put together another solid stretch of play next week, he’ll have to continue doing his part. He is averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range in his eighth season in the pros and third as a Cavalier.