Knee injury to sideline Donovan Mitchell for at least 3 more games

Donovan Mitchell will miss the next three games due to a knee injury.

On March 4, Mitchell received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection at the Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center to treat a bone bruise in his left knee, according to the Cavs.

Mitchell apparently injured the knee during the Cavaliers’ Jan. 28 double-overtime loss in Chicago. He missed the following two games against Dallas and Detroit.

The team said it will re-evaluate Mitchell’s status over the weekend.

Mitchell, a five-time All-Star, is the heartbeat of this team. With Mitchell leading the way, the Cavs went 18-3 from Jan. 1 up to the All-Star break. Mitchell was the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in January.

Mitchell is averaging 28 points per game, and career highs in rebounds (5.4), assists (6.2) and steals (1.8).

The upcoming schedule won’t provide much mercy.

On March 5, the Cavs host the Boston Celtics, who hold the best record in the NBA. Then they fly to Atlanta for the second night of the back-to-back. Two nights later, they’re back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to host the Minnesota Timberwolves, the top team in the Western Conference.

Mitchell isn’t the only banged-up Cavalier right now.

Caris LeVert is listed as questionable for the March 5 matchup with the Celtics, after missing Sunday night’s game against the Knicks due to a right-elbow sprain. Max Strus is out with a right-knee strain.

Meanwhile, Isaac Okoro is questionable for the Celtics matchup due to a left-elbow sprain.

With Mitchell out, the Cavs will have to lean on Darius Garland, who is averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 assists per game this season. Craig Porter Jr. also should see increased playing time. We’ll see what else J.B. Bickerstaff has up his sleeve as the week progresses.