Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the brink of elimination after falling 3-0 to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
What happened?
The Cavaliers were ripped at home in Game 3 on Saturday, with Mitchell scoring 23 points but making just 3 of 10 from 3-point range.
The team's shooting woes continued, with Evan Mobley leading the team with 24 points but making only 1 of 6 from 3-point range.
James Harden was 1 of 7 from deep, and Max Strus was 4 of 11, as the Cavaliers struggled to find their rhythm.
Why it matters for Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell's comments after Game 2 suggested that the series feels worse due to the team's missed shots, and the numbers bear that out, with the Cavaliers shooting 8 percentage points worse than expected based on the quality of shots.
On May 24, Mitchell emphasized that the team is not overmatched, pointing to the fact that they were up 22 in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
The Cavaliers' collapse in Game 1, combined with their subsequent losses, has put them in a difficult position.
What comes next?
The Cavaliers will look to stave off elimination in Game 4, but the task will be daunting, as no team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
Coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged that the team has won the expected shooting percentage in all three games, but the reality is that they are not converting those opportunities into wins.
The Cavaliers' expensive roster and lack of a finals berth will likely lead to significant changes in the offseason, with the team potentially looking to shed salary to bring in new players.
The rules governing the NBA's salary cap will make it difficult for the Cavaliers to make significant moves without first making some tough decisions, such as potentially trading Evan Mobley.
But for now, the focus is on Game 4, and Mitchell's comments suggest that the team is not giving up hope, despite the long odds against them.
The Cavaliers will need to find a way to overcome their shooting struggles and capitalize on their opportunities if they want to extend the series.
On May 24, the Cavaliers were left to ponder what could have been, as they faced the very real possibility of elimination.
The team's fans will be holding out hope that Mitchell and the Cavaliers can pull off a miraculous comeback, but the odds are certainly against them.
The Eastern Conference finals will continue, with the Knicks looking to close out the series and advance to the next round.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, will be fighting for their playoff lives, with Mitchell leading the charge.
The outcome is far from certain, but one thing is clear: the Cavaliers will need to play their best basketball if they want to stay alive in the series.