Donovan Mitchell Officially Out Versus Nuggets

The Cleveland Cavaliers are giving the night off to All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is officially listed as out in their Friday night showdown versus the Denver Nuggets due to rest, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

#Cavs Donovan Mitchell (rest) is listed OUT tomorrow night against Denver, along with Ricky Rubio, Dean Wade and Dylan Windler. Darius Garland (thumb) is QUESTIONABLE.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) January 6, 2023

The Cavaliers could also be without its starting backcourt as Darius Garland is listed as questionable due to a thumb injury.

Garland, meanwhile, has missed the last three games for the Cavaliers. He injured his thumb during their loss to the Indiana Pacers on December 29th.

Aside from Mitchell and Garland, Cleveland has also listed Ricky Rubio, Dean Wade, and Dylan Winlder as out.

Cleveland is in the midst of a three-game win streak wherein all games came down the wire.

They barely got past the Chicago Bulls, 103-102, in their last game in 2022, then followed it up with a comeback overtime win on Monday, which also saw Donovan Mitchell put up a historic 71-point night. The Cavs then took down the slumping Phoenix Suns, also via come-from-behind fashion, on Wednesday night, 90-88.

These last three games have likely been an exhausting ride for Cleveland, which is perhaps why they are opting to give Mitchell a night off.

The explosive shooting guard has averaged 41 minutes a night over their three games in the last five days, including a 50-minute night during his 71-point outburst on Monday.