Mitchell, Harden see future with Cavs as Gilbert vows to 'dig in' - ESPN

CLEVELAND — In the wake of the Cavaliers getting swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, Donovan Mitchell reiterated his commitment to the organization, expressed confidence in his partnership with James Harden and said he'd like to see Cleveland's core remain intact.

«I have no doubt that this group can get there,» Mitchell said Monday night after the Cavs' 130-93 loss in Game 4. «I've said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It's a tough learning lesson, but now we know.

»This team that we just faced had to go through this. Maybe not this way, but they've been together, they've been a core group and had to go through this tough experience. So, this is our turn."

Mitchell made the conference finals for the first time in his nine-year career, and he acknowledged that he and the Cavs took a step forward after losing in the second round each of the previous two seasons. This was the first time Cleveland reached the conference finals since 2018, and the furthest the organization has advanced without LeBron James on the roster since 1992.

Still, though Cavs owner Dan Gilbert acknowledged the team's progress, he also said he will exhaust his options this summer for the club to go even further.

«We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be,» Gilbert wrote in a social media post Monday night. «I can't thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there.»

We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can't thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do