Donovan Mitchell Dismisses Charles Barkley’s 'They Suck' Criticism

Mitchell’s blunt reply after a key Cavs win signals the team will answer critics with on-court focus rather than outside commentary.

Overview

Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley said the Cavaliers “suck,” and the remark was reshared by NBA on ESPN, drawing wide attention.
Cleveland then won a close game at Madison Square Garden, with Donovan Mitchell recording 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the victory.
After the game Mitchell told Cleveland.com he does not care about Barkley’s comments and said, “Who gives a f—?” while adding he respects the Inside the NBA crew.
The exchange highlights a larger narrative about the Cavaliers’ uneven start this season and past regular-season success that ended in disappointing playoff exits.
The story remains unsettled because the team’s response is to focus on results, so sustained regular-season play and a deeper playoff run are the clearest paths to quiet outside skeptics.