Cavs' Donovan Mitchell masterpiece spoiled by heartbreaking ending despite absurd stats

Donovan Mitchell did everything he possibly could.

And in heartbreaking fashion for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it wasn't enough.

These Cavs hadn't shown up at all in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers. And then injury absences threatened to ruin Game 2, with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter all missing.

Mitchell did his best to overcome it all. This is what he signed a contract extension with Cleveland to do.

He couldn't get his Utah Jazz over the playoff hump, but Mitchell wanted to do better for his Cavs.

With no Garland or Mobley (fellow All-Stars), Mitchell had no choice but to dominate.

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His outside shot wasn't falling, so Mitchell barreled to the basket again and again, throwing down a couple dunks (including a poster) and getting to the foul line.

Mitchell's final stats were absurd:

• 48 points
• 5 rebounds
• 9 assists
• 4 steals
• 1 block
• 15-30 FG
• 1-7 3FG
• 17-21 FT

MORE: Donovan Mitchell throws down poster dunk of his life

But somehow, it wasn't enough.

The Pacers scored the last eight points of the game, capped by Tyrese Haliburton's stepback 3-pointer just before the buzzer. 

All Mitchell could do was watch as Cleveland's final desperation heave finished well off the mark.

Even with the injuries, the Cavs couldn't afford to lose Game 2.

It looked like Mitchell wasn't going to let them.

But in a historic collapse, one that felt a little too familiar for Cleveland sports fans, Mitchell's legendary night was wasted.

The Cavs have NBA championship aspirations, but the climb has never been taller.

Mitchell will keep putting the Cavaliers on his back as much as he can, but it's not clear anymore whether that'll be enough.

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