Mitchell’s Downfall: What Happened to the Once Explosive Star?

Donovan Mitchell’s recent performance in the Cleveland Cavaliers' crushing 134-114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder raised some serious questions about his current form. Despite his status as one of the league’s most explosive scorers, Mitchell’s showing in this game, where he scored a mere 8 points in 21 minutes, was nothing short of a disappointment. This performance, paired with an overall decline in his season averages, has led many to wonder: what happened to the once-dominant scoring machine?

A Complete Breakdown Against the Thunder

In a game that was expected to be a tightly contested rematch between the top teams of the East and West, the Cavaliers were instead run off the court. The Thunder’s lead ballooned to as much as 42 points at one point, with the game essentially decided by the start of the fourth quarter. While Oklahoma City was led by the phenomenal Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 40 points in just 29 minutes, Mitchell's performance was the exact opposite.

Mitchell’s stat line was underwhelming, to say the least. He went 3-for-15 from the field, including a 1-for-4 showing from three-point range, and finished with just 8 points. His struggles were not just on the offensive end; his defensive efforts were also lackluster, as evidenced by his -28 plus-minus, the worst on the team. In contrast, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Western Conference's star, played only three quarters, posting a near-perfect offensive display. Mitchell’s inability to keep pace with his counterpart exemplified his struggles throughout the game.

Two Disappointing Showings Against the Thunder

This performance against Oklahoma City wasn’t an isolated event. In fact, it marks the second consecutive poor outing against the Thunder. When the two teams faced off earlier in the season, Mitchell had another lackluster game, shooting just 3-for-16, including 2-for-7 from beyond the arc, and finishing with only 11 points. This makes it clear that Mitchell is struggling against the Thunder's defensive schemes, which have been one of the best in the league this season. However, there are larger concerns that extend beyond a bad matchup or an off-night.

A Season of Decline

Donovan Mitchell’s overall season numbers tell a tale of regression. After joining the Cavaliers from the Utah Jazz, Mitchell set the NBA on fire, establishing himself as one of the league’s elite scorers. In his first two seasons with Cleveland, he posted averages of 28.3 points per game (2022-23) and 26.6 points per game (2023-24), both while shooting efficiently with impressive true shooting percentages of 61.4% and 59.5%, respectively. But as the 2023-24 season has progressed, his numbers have begun to slip, and it’s evident that his impact has diminished.

This year, Mitchell is averaging 22.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, with a true shooting percentage of 57.9%. While those numbers are still solid, they’re a far cry from his previous levels of production, especially considering that his PER (Player Efficiency Rating) has dropped from 22.9 in 2022-23 to 20.4 this season, and his BPM (Box Plus-Minus) has also taken a significant dip from +6.3 to +3.0. These advanced metrics suggest that Mitchell is no longer playing at the same elite level he did in his previous two seasons.

The Struggles in the Big Moments

What stands out most about Mitchell's struggles this season is his inability to take over in key moments. His scoring outbursts, which were once a staple of his game, have become more sporadic. Mitchell has only registered 9 games with 30 or more points this season, and not a single game with 40 or more. This contrasts sharply with his previous two seasons, when he was regularly scoring in the 30s and 40s, including a legendary 71-point game in January 2023.

Mitchell’s inability to take over in critical moments has also been a glaring issue in Cleveland’s high-stakes games. While the Cavaliers have a strong overall record this season, their hopes of contending for an Eastern Conference title—let alone an NBA Championship—hinge on Mitchell’s ability to deliver in those crucial matchups. In the loss to the Thunder, Mitchell was outshined not only by Gilgeous-Alexander but also by his own teammates, who struggled to keep up with the Thunder’s tempo and defensive schemes.

A Player Trying to Do Too Much?

One possible reason for Mitchell’s decline this season is his increased role in facilitating the offense. With Cleveland’s roster being deeper than it has been in previous years, Mitchell has had to share the ball more often, a shift from his previous role as the focal point of Utah's offense. His assist numbers have gone up, but so has his workload, and it may be taking a toll on his scoring. The balance between scoring and playmaking has proven difficult for Mitchell to manage, and he’s been inconsistent in finding the right moments to take over.

Perhaps Mitchell’s biggest struggle has been adjusting to this new role as a leader of a team that is no longer solely dependent on him to generate offense. Players like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley have emerged as more significant contributors, which may have led Mitchell to adapt his playing style in ways that have impacted his performance. He is still a talented player, but the transition to sharing the spotlight has not been seamless.

The Pressure to Be the “Absolute Star”

For the Cavaliers to make a deep playoff run, Mitchell needs to return to the form that made him one of the NBA’s most feared scorers. There’s no denying that Mitchell is a proven performer, particularly in the postseason, but the regular season has shown that he may no longer be the player he once was. His struggles against the league’s top defenses, as evidenced by his performances against the Thunder, raise serious questions about his ability to carry the Cavaliers in the postseason when every team is bringing their best.

It’s also clear that, while the Cavaliers have significantly improved as a team, they still lack the "absolute star" capable of leading them to a championship. Mitchell’s dip in form is precisely why many believe Cleveland, despite their strong regular-season record, is not a genuine contender for an NBA title unless Mitchell can regain his previous form.

What’s Next for Mitchell?

At this point, it remains to be seen whether Mitchell can reverse his decline. If he is to return to elite status, he will need to find a way to balance his playmaking duties with his natural scoring instincts. He has the talent to dominate games, as he’s shown in the past, but it’s clear that something is missing this season.

Cleveland’s hopes for the postseason are still alive, but much of that depends on Mitchell’s ability to rediscover the form that made him an elite star in previous seasons. As the calendar turns to the second half of the season, Mitchell will need to prove he can still be the player that the Cavaliers need him to be if they’re going to take the next step and challenge for an NBA Championship.

For now, though, the question remains: will Mitchell be able to snap out of this funk, or is this the beginning of a more significant decline in his career? Only time will tell.