Donovan Mitchell reveals the Cavaliers understand the stakes of the 2026 Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers are headed into the 2026 Playoffs with some good momentum. This is the stage people expected them to be early in the 2025-26 season, as they were seen as contenders. They have struggled since the start of the season, but they have picked up their form as of late.

They cannot catch up to the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference, but they are a dangerous team in the postseason. With Donovan Mitchell showing confidence as the team's star player, this could be bad news for the other postseason teams in the East.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers are ready for postseason basketball

At the start of the season, the Cavaliers struggled mightily. They were not the same team that people expected them to be. With Darius Garland leading the charge as the point guard, they were a decent team. However, they were not the same team that won 60+ games in the previous season.

Now, the Cavs are ending the year with 50+ wins to their record, but they look convincing ahead of the Playoffs. After making the trade for James Harden by sending over Garland, the team looks more cohesive with the former MVP serving as the floor general.

MORE: Donovan Mitchell explains the adjustments the Cavs had to make for James Harden

While Harden is a fantastic player, the team's star player is Mitchell. The Cavaliers are prepared for anything in the postseason, and that is reflected in what Mitchell is saying ahead of the Playoffs. He is the team's leader, and everyone is prepared to follow his lead.

"I’m excited. I think the fans are excited. They feel it. I know the city is excited. We understand what’s at stake here. The biggest thing is we and the city gotta stay together. We’ll do our job," Mitchell said on Wednesday after another big win.

As the Cavaliers continue to showcase their potential in the Playoffs, teams should be wary of them. With Mitchell leading the way, this team can surprise a lot of teams. The Pistons, Celtics, and New York Knicks might be higher in the standings, but the Cavs might have the highest ceiling among them.

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