The Cleveland Cavaliers enter Friday’s NBA Cup matchup against the Indiana Pacers aiming to rebound from a 114-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. The Pacers, meanwhile, arrive with a rare bright spot, having snapped their eight-game loss with a win over the Hornets. Indiana’s 2-13 start has been rough, while Cleveland holds a far stronger position. Still, the Cavs’ ceiling depends heavily on Donovan Mitchell’s availability. So will their star take the floor tonight?

Is Donovan Mitchell playing tonight?

Well, good news for Cavs fans, Donovan Mitchell is expected to suit up tonight as he is not on the official injury report. So yes, he is expected to suit up tonight. He is Cleveland’s go-to scorer and a driving force for their offense. He is averaging just over 30 points per game this season, sixth overall in the players’ stats tally.

There haven’t been any significant injury concerns for Mitchell this season, as he has missed only a couple of games. Last week, however, he was ruled out without an official injury designation, a decision that ultimately resulted in a fine for the Cavaliers under the league’s player participation policy. The presser read:

“The NBA announced today that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy. The violation occurred when the Cavaliers held Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, who are both star players under the Policy, out of the team’s game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 12 for rest.”

Donovan Mitchell enters this matchup coming off a 21-point performance against Houston on Thursday. There he shot 8-of-17 from the field and added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals while playing for 34 minutes. When it comes to his past performance against the Pacers, Mitchell has consistently delivered. According to StatMuse, he has averaged 27.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds over 17 career games against Indiana.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Injury Report

Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Update

The Cleveland Cavaliers head into tonight’s NBA Cup matchup missing several key rotation players.

1. Sam Merrill is out as he continues to deal with a hand injury.
2. Darius Garland is questionable and is out for rehab due to a toe issue, leaving the Cavs without their starting point guard.
3. Jaret Allen is also questionable for the night.
4. Jaylon Tyson is questionable as he continues recovering from a concussion.
5. Max Strus is still sidelined while working his way back from a foot injury.

Indiana Pacers Injury Update

The Indiana Pacers are even more depleted.

• Johnny Furphy is out due to a left ankle sprain.
• Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined with a right Achilles tendon tear.
• Quenton Jackson is out with a right hamstring strain.
• Kam Jones will miss more time because of a lower back stress reaction.
• Aaron Nesmith is also out with a left knee sprain.

• Obi Toppin continues to be sidelined due to a right foot stress reaction.

Predicted Starting Lineups: Cavaliers vs Pacers

Where to watch & game info

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio

Broadcast / Streaming: The game will air nationally on ESPN. Depending on your region, there may be a local broadcast. The official pathway for online streaming is Amazon Prime. NBA League Pass is also an option for streaming (subject to your area’s blackout restrictions).

Game preview & prediction

The Cavaliers come into this matchup with a 10-6 record, led by Donovan Mitchell. Evan Mobley also adds interior stability. Altogether, the Cavaliers have the depth and defensive structure to dictate the pace, especially at home.

The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, fell in their Halloween NBA Cup opener to the Atlanta Hawks, 128-108. But with Bennedict Mathurin stepping into a lead role in their most recent win, there might be a chance. Mathurin delivered 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists against the Hornets. Despite the win, the Pacers have struggled all throughout the season, which naturally hints at a comfortable Cavaliers win.