Donovan Mitchell historic performance against Bulls saves the CAVS
Donovan Mitchell’s 71 points ‘takes the cake,’ says Cavaliers’ Kevin Love
Donovan Mitchell is now one of seven players in the 70-point club, and the only one to add at least 10 assists. The CAVS were without All-Star guard Darius Garland (right thumb sprain) and forward Evan Mobley (right ankle soreness) for the second straight game overpowered the Bulls .
Mitchell recorded a career-high and Cavaliers franchise record 71 points (55 points in 2nd half+ overtime), most by an NBA player in 17 years, and the Cavaliers came back from 21 down to beat the Chicago Bulls 145–134 in overtime Monday night.
It was the most points in a game by any player since Los Angeles Lakers legend the late Kobe Bryant had 81 against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006. Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA record with 100 for Philadelphia against New York on March 2, 1962, at Hershey, Pennsylvania.
“To be there in the record book with guys like Wilt is truly humbling,’’ said Mitchell. “I always believed I could be one of the best players in the league. I’m speechless and blessed to be in the company of that greatness.’’
As the final seconds of overtime ticked off the clock, Mitchell waved his arm for the Cleveland crowd, which has embraced him in his short time with the Cavs.
The three time NBA All-star scored 13 points in the extra session after forcing OT by grabbing his own intentionally missed free throw and making a very difficult shot with 3.0 seconds left, tying the game at 130 and breaking the Cleveland record with 58 points.
In overtime, Mitchell went ahead to become the seventh player in the 70-point club. Chamberlain did it six times, while Bryant, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson and the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker each reached the figure once.
“We were treated tonight to one of the greatest performances in the history of the game,’’ Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Every single play that he made was a play that was necessary. “Donovan has never put himself above the team, so how can you not root for a guy like that? I told everyone else to get out of the way.’’
The 26-years-old had a career-high-tying 11 assists and eight rebounds in 50 minutes, also setting career highs with 20 free throws made and 25 free throws attempted. He scored five points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, 24 in the third and 18 in the fourth. His 55 points after halftime tied Bryant for the most by any player over the past 25 seasons.
“I think I had a game like that once playing NBA2K, but I don’t think I shot that efficiently,’’ Mitchell joke of his video game skills. “But that was in a loss, so this feels that much better.’’
Mitchell went 22-of-34 from the field and made 7 of 15 3-pointers in carrying the Cavaliers who are now 4th in the eastern conference behind the bucks Net and the Celtics.
He scored or assisted on 99 points, the second most in a game in NBA history and the most since Chamberlain’s 100-point game.
Mitchell was almost in disbelief during the postgame news conference when told he joined the list of NBA legends to surpass 70 points.
“It’s humbling,’’ he said. “I’m speechless. For me, not only did I do that, but I did it an effort when we came back and won and it’s how we won. It’s nuts.”
Mitchell later tweeted a photo of himself surrounded by his Cavaliers teammates while holding a piece of paper with “71” written on it, a nod to the iconic Chamberlain photograph.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>New Year New Me😂… 71 of them thangs ‼️‼️ <a href=”https://t.co/eqTSqAEKk8">pic.twitter.com/eqTSqAEKk8</a></p>— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) <a href=”https://twitter.com/spidadmitchell/status/1610129870100594690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset=”utf-8"></script>
Mitchell started they year averaging 17.5 points over the previous four games while shooting 32.9% on 73 field goal attempts. He now ranks ninth in the NBA with a 28.0 scoring average. “A lot of teams are sending a lot more bodies at him, and that’s on us to help him,’’ Bickerstaff said. “It’s on his teammates to recognize they have to make teams pay and make plays.’’
