Donovan Mitchell had a simple explanation Tuesday night for why he isn't getting to the free throw line in the playoffs.
"I don't flop, maybe that's why," the Cavaliers star told reporters.
The comment came after Mitchell was pressed on the gap between his regular-season and postseason free throw rates. It was delivered with enough of a dry edge to get a laugh, but the underlying frustration was real. Getting to the line has been a consistent part of Mitchell's offensive game, and the drop-off in the playoffs has been noticeable.
Mitchell did not elaborate on whether he planned to adjust his approach or push the issue formally with the league. The remark lands in a longer-running conversation across the NBA about which players draw calls and why, one that players rarely address this directly in a public setting.
The Cavaliers continue their playoff run with Mitchell as their primary offensive engine, and how often he gets to the line will remain one of the more closely watched variables in the series.
