Is Donovan Mitchell playing tonight? Exploring Cavaliers superstar guard's availability vs Bulls
Donovan Mitchell is available to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they take on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday for their first preseason game ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
The superstar guard was previously listed out for the Cavaliers' Games 4 and 5 against the Boston Celtics in the second-round series of the 2024 NBA playoffs due to a calf injury. In Mitchell's absence, the Cavs lost both games to be eliminated from the playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell concluded the 2024 NBA playoffs averaging 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals across the three games he played against the Boston Celtics and the seven games against the Orlando Magic in the first-round playoff series.
Since then, Mitchell has had sufficient time to fully recover as he looks to get the Cavs into a deeper playoff run in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Donovan Mitchell thinks the Cavs are a "championship-contending team" when healthy
During their Media Day last week, Donovan Mitchell claimed that the Cleveland Cavaliers are serious championship contenders if the players manage to stay healthy. He also highlighted that players' health has been an issue for the team since he joined them two years ago.
"I believe when we’re healthy, we’re a championship-contending team,” Mitchell said. “But the unfortunate part is for the past two years we haven’t been a fully healthy team throughout the year in different spurts."
Mitchell displayed his faith in the team when he inked a three-year, $150.3 million extension during the offseason that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season
The first step for their 2024-24 NBA campaign begins Tuesday as they take on the Chicago Bulls for their first preseason game.
Donovan Mitchell stats vs. Chicago Bulls
Donovan Mitchell has played 16 games against the Chicago Bulls in his career, winning 13 of them and averaging 28.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
The Cavaliers guard faced the Bulls thrice in the last season, winning two of those matchups and missing the first of the teams' four encounters. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls in their regular season series 3-1, as Mitchell averaged 27.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals across the three matchups while shooting 43.7% from the field.
How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers?
The Bulls versus Cavaliers preseason matchup is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The game will be regionally aired on Bally Sports Ohio and can also be livestreamed via NBA League Pass.