There was a development Wednesday, opponent aside, that could kickstart a collective relaxing of mind and spirit in Cleveland:

Donovan Mitchell.

Joe Vardon on what it means for the Cavs with the postseason approaching:

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Remember when the lights got too bright for the Cavs? Well, it’s that time of year again and Jarrett Allen says they need to ‘loosen up.’ Donovan Mitchell’s improved play is a reason to relax, ⁦The Athletic NBA⁩ theathletic.com/5407425/2024/0…

A few thoughts on the East team not involved in the fray last night, the sinking (only to rise again?) Cleveland Cavaliers, The Athletic NBA theathletic.com/live-blogs/nba…

The Heat, Sixers, and Pacers all win, but a potential serious Giannis injury would bring different meaning to a first-round series against the Bucks, The Athletic NBA theathletic.com/live-blogs/nba…

Progressive/Jacobs Field turns 30 today. The ballpark has hosted two All-Star Games, 10 World Series games and 235 walk-off wins. More than 64 million have passed through the turnstiles.

Here are your fondest memories of the place. Laugh. Cry. Reminisce:
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Congratulations to Peter Baker of the The New York Times, winner of the WHCA’s 2024 Award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure – Print. To see the winning coverage and more, whca.press/award/2024-awa…

Lakers’ LeBron James on his NBA future after win over Nets: ‘I don’t have much time left’ ⤵️

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Cade Smith didn’t know if he would be on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster. Smith’s dad didn’t know if he’d get medical approval to travel.

After a crazy week that capped a trying year, the Smiths reunited in Oakland and Cade delivered an electric debut: theathletic.com/5376374/2024/0…

The question Dan Gilbert, George’s Niang answered so candidly over the last week — about Donovan Mitchell’s contract — is something the All-Star guard won’t touch ‘until it comes.’ ⁦The Athletic NBA⁩ theathletic.com/5378909/2024/0…

In the last week, the Cavs’ owner and a teammate of Donovan Mitchell’s said they think he will re-sign in Cleveland. Mitchell’s putting extension talk off to the summer — he’s worried about the Cavs extending their season first, ⁦The Athletic NBA⁩ theathletic.com/5378909/2024/0…

Kings guard Malik Monk is feared to have suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and will undergo further testing, sources tell The Athletic Stadium. Arguably the NBA's best Sixth Man has averaged nearly 16 points and five assists a night.

Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore were set to succeed Glen Taylor as owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

That was until Taylor said the teams were no longer for sale.

Now, the feud is just getting started. Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania have more ⤵️

A-Rod: 'We can be in this (fight) for five years, 10 years, whatever. We’re not going to let go.'

Lore: 'We will use every ounce of effort here to enforce the contract that Glen broke.'

Glen Taylor has barred both from back hallways of arena and communication with team execs.

LeBron and AD are both available to play tonight at Indy.

Davis is averaging 38.5 points, 18.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks vs. Indy this season in two games including the IST Final.

Barring a historic collapse by the Knicks tonight, the Cavs’ loss in Charlotte will knock them out of third in the East — something I didn’t see coming at the All-Star break.

I expect everyone to remember these four months from now. Times for Team USA's first-round Olympic games:
7-28: USA v Serbia, 11:15a eastern
7-31: USA v South Sudan, 3p eastern
8-3: USA v winner of qualifying tourney, 11:15a eastern

Where’s the joy for Tyrese Haliburton? ‘I ask myself the same question,’ he said. Bettors heckling him don’t help. W ⁦Sam Amick⁩ ⁦The Athletic NBA⁩ theathletic.com/5368906/2024/0…

Tyrese Haliburton is under the microscope. And since the All-Star Break, he's been mired in a shooting slump.

'This is the longest ebb and flow I’ve ever dealt with in my life,” he tells Sam Amick and Joe Vardon.

More with the Pacers' star ⤵️

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Tyrese Haliburton exclusive, at The Athletic

The Pacers star talks midseason struggles, his recovery from the hamstring injury that derailed Indiana's momentum, what's at stake, and why he's sure the joy of the game will return soon (w/ Joe Vardon)

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As expected, former college superstar Jimmer Fredette is among the four players picked by USA Basketball for the men’s first 3×3 hoops team to appear in an Olympics, writes Joe Vardon.

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