ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsMay 6, 2026, 01:47 AM ET
Asked to pinpoint Tuesday night why he wasn’t getting to the free throw line during the playoffs as much as he was during the regular season, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell offered up, “I don’t flop, maybe that’s why.”
Mitchell scored 23 points in Cleveland’s 111-101 loss to the host Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their second-round series, ending his NBA-record streak of scoring 30-plus points in nine straight series openers. He went to the free throw line twice against the Pistons, after making 16 trips total during Cleveland’s seven-game series against Toronto in the first round.
“I’m just not getting the calls. I don’t know why. I don’t flop, maybe that’s why,” Mitchell said Tuesday. “And this isn’t just a tonight thing. This has been the entire series, and it’s frustrating a little bit, but because I’m such a dynamic driver, right? But I can’t control that. So if they’re not going to call it for me, I got to find a way to finish and do that.”
For the game, the Cavaliers had 16 free throw attempts, compared to 35 for the Pistons. Mitchell was quick to point out, “The free throw disparity is not why we lost tonight.”
The Pistons forced 20 turnovers that led to 31 points in a strong performance against Cleveland’s potent backcourt of Mitchell and James Harden.
“You look within first,” he said. “Look at my turnovers and a lot of them are just on me and nothing they did.”
During the regular season, Mitchell averaged 6.1 free throw attempts.
“So keep getting to the paint. It’ll turn. It usually does with the free throws.”
Harden committed seven turnovers and accepted blame.
Donovan Mitchell on not getting foul calls: ‘I don’t flop’ (1:31)Donovan Mitchell admits some frustration about not drawing more fouls and wonders if it’s because he doesn’t flop. (1:31)