Donovan Mitchell conceded that the Cleveland Cavaliers had "let the city down" following their playoff exit to the Indiana Pacers. 

The Cavaliers led the Pacers by 19 points in the second quarter in a match they had to win to stay alive, but the Pacers turned the game around to win 114-105 in Game 5. 

Mitchell had a game-high 35 points and nine rebounds in Cleveland's season-ending loss, averaging 34.2 points throughout the series. 

The Cavaliers, after starting out the season with 15 straight wins, won 64 games in the regular season, their second-highest number of victories in the team's history. 

It was also the franchise's third 60-win campaign, but they became the fourth team in NBA history to win 64 matches in the regular season and not reach the second round. 

"I just couldn't believe it," Mitchell said following the Cavs' loss in Game 5 on Tuesday. "Didn't want to believe it. Don't want to believe it. Still don't want to believe it."

Indiana, after winning all three series games in Cleveland, will face the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Cavs hadn't lost consecutive home games at any point this season and blew a first-half lead, much to the frustration of Mitchell. 

"I love playing in that f***ing arena," Mitchell said. "That energy, that crowd. We were 0-3 at home, let the city down.

"This place is special. This place is really special and we didn't get it done."

Final. pic.twitter.com/4DCeppETjP

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2025

Mitchell had been the Cavaliers' standout player in the series, averaging just over 34 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, despite playing through a left ankle injury he sustained in Game 4.

In his career, Mitchell has averaged 28.3 points in the playoffs, the seventh highest in NBA history, but has still never made it past the second round. 

"We've had a lot of positives," Mitchell said of his team. "But we didn't capitalise. Now we've got to use this motivation. Everybody's going to write us off."

And even with Mitchell viewing this season as a failure, he still has belief in what the roster can do in the years to come, no matter what people might think of them.

"I'll go to bat for every guy in that locker room," Mitchell said. "Winning is not easy. Some things have to go right. You got to play well, got to capitalise on opportunities.

"We have a window with this group, I believe in everybody in here, we believe in each other.

"That's what sucks, we're a good team. And for five games. We didn't show what we're capable of. And ultimately that's what we're judged on.

"So get in the gym, weight room, nutrition, whatever it is, and get back at it.

"Because y'all are going to write us the f*** off man. We'll be back. Let the city down, let each other down. But we'll be back."