Mario Hezonja explains why he waved off Donovan Mitchell: keep the Cavaliers' star fresh for fourth quarters and the long season
WhyNBA Sports Desk · Oct 24, 2026
The story
Mario Hezonja waved Donovan Mitchell away from the ball late in the third quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers' opener, and on Saturday, October 24, the 31-year-old forward explained that he did it to protect his star, not to upstage him.
The story
Mitchell, he said, should not be the one bringing the ball up against full-court pressure, because Cleveland needs him fresh for fourth quarters and for the long season.
The story
The explanation lands right where the Cavaliers are sore. They led the Philadelphia 76ers 69-45 at halftime on Thursday, October 22, then lost 114-106 after Philadelphia raised its defensive pressure, and Cleveland finished with 21 turnovers.
What Hezonja said
Hezonja described the possession as a read, not a power grab. With Mitchell being face-guarded, he stopped near the three-point line, burned some clock and sent Jaylon Tyson away to empty one side of the floor for a one-on-one against his mismatch, then scored inside.
What Hezonja said
He said he had talked it through with Mitchell and James Harden, and that whoever has the advantage on a given trip should be the one to use it.
What Hezonja said
His message to Mitchell was about the calendar as much as the moment. "We need you in game 80, game 60," Hezonja said, adding that taking pressure off Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would help the whole group.
What Hezonja said
He also repeated the promise he made when he arrived: "I'm here to help you."
His first NBA night in six years
The opener was Hezonja's first regular-season NBA game since he left the league after the 2020-21 season. He returned this summer on a one-year deal after his years with Real Madrid, where he was the Spanish league's MVP.
His first NBA night in six years
His numbers in Philadelphia backed up the pitch. In 18 minutes and 38 seconds off the bench he had 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, and he did not commit a turnover on a night when Mitchell had five and Harden six.
His first NBA night in six years
He missed all five of his three-point attempts, but he was plus-1 while every Cleveland starter finished in the minus column, Harden at minus-17 and Mobley at minus-15. Mitchell scored 32 points with 10 rebounds.
His first NBA night in six years
A ball-handling forward who can absorb pressure and attack a smaller defender is the role Cleveland signed him for, and his early minutes suggest Kenny Atkinson will lean on it when opponents start denying Mitchell and Harden.
What comes next
Cleveland hosted the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night at Rocket Arena (Game Center). The Cavaliers then host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, October 26, at 7 p.m. ET (Game Center).
Photo credit
Photo by Erik Drost, CC-BY-4.0, resized. Luka Dončić is defended by Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland in January 2026.
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