Before the campaign started, all the talk for the Cleveland Cavaliers was about how this regular season did not ultimately matter. The Cavs were never going to be judged by what they did before the NBA Playoffs. That attitude is holding true in the decision-making surrounding Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell has missed three straight games with a groin injury. After being absent from the matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets, it will be more of the same for the Cavaliers star on Tuesday night.
Mitchell has officially been listed as out for the rematch against the Pistons. The strained right groin will keep him out of action for Cleveland as they will try to send a message to the Eastern Conference's top seed about not feeling too comfy all the way up there.
Given what the upcoming schedule looks like for the Cavaliers, this was a clear message of prioritizing the long-term outlook in Cleveland. Mitchell's health is more important than an extra win or two. For a championship hopeful, that approach is right on the money.
Cavaliers signal bigger-picture mindset with Donovan Mitchell's injury management
Upon the conclusion of the game against the Pistons, the Cavaliers will get to breathe a little. Amid the long haul of the regular season, Cleveland is slated to get a handful of consecutive nights off.
The Cavaliers have no regular season games scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. The next time Cleveland will be on an NBA floor for a matchup is on Sunday against the Boston Celtics, who could have Jayson Tatum back by then too.
Perhaps it can be a star-studded duel with Mitchell in the mix as well. There was never an overwhelming impression given that his injury was too serious. However, with the huge break in the schedule, the Cavaliers opted to give him every opportunity to recover by not forcing a return before Sunday.
Injury management is always a tricky part of any season. For a team that has been beaten up like the Cavaliers in the past, the lesson that has clearly been learned is not to rush anything. That has been shown with the extended absence of Max Strus. That same courtesy is also being shown to Mitchell.
There are still those who will choose to play through ailments like James Harden. If there is a comfort with doing so, no one is going to stop those players. However, the priority is clearly what the Cavaliers can do in the spring. Everyone on the roster will get ample opportunity to nurse any tweak on the road to get there.