Donovan Mitchell has been everything the Cleveland Cavaliers had hoped he would be. He was acquired this NBA offseason in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz, and while it cost a lot to land him, it is a trade that the franchise would make 10 out of 10 times again.
Through 38 games this season, Mitchell has been by far the Cavaliers’ best player. He has helped elevate them from a potential Play-In team to a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference as they are 24-14 on the season, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks and only 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics for first place.
Mitchell had a truly memorable performance on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. He scored 71 points, surpassing Luka Doncic, who scored 60 points the previous week, for a new league-high this season. Just as Doncic set records with his performance, Mitchell did with his as well.
In addition to the 71 points, Mitchell handed out 10 assists in the game. The 99 points that he was responsible for is the second most ever in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain during his 100-point game. Chamberlain also handed out two assists in that game, being responsible for 104 points, which remains the record after Mitchell got very close to it.
“To be there in the record book with guys like Wilt is truly humbling,” said Mitchell. “I’m speechless and blessed to be in the company of that greatness.”
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Anytime you are mentioned in the same sentence as Chamberlain, you are doing something right. It was a truly inspired effort from Mitchell as the Cavaliers were shorthanded in the game.
Darius Garland is dealing with a thumb injury, and going into double-overtime pushed many players beyond their normal allotment of minutes. Mitchell ended up playing a game-high 50 minutes, as he didn’t come off the court once in the second half or overtime.
“Donovan has never put himself above the team, so how can you not root for a guy like that?” Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We were treated tonight to one of the greatest performances in the history of the game.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Mitchell shot 22-of-34 from the field, going 7-of-15 from 3-point range and making 20-of-25 free throw attempts en route to his 71-point performance. In addition to the 10 assists, Mitchell grabbed eight rebounds and had one block.
“I always believed I could be one of the best players in the league,” Mitchell said. “I forced myself into it.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
This season, he has been special for the Cavaliers, averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game to go along with 4.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. Mitchell is also having the most efficient shooting season of his career and has turned up the performance on the defensive end of the court, providing Cleveland with star-level, two-way production.
