We can now say out loud — if there were any doubts — that Cleveland didn’t pay the Jazz too much for Donovan Mitchell. The guard The All-Star has fit in like a glove in the Ohio organization and last night he definitely blew up making history. How? With 71 points to defeat the Chicago Bulls.
Shooting 22 of 34 from the field (including 7 of 15 on 3-pointers) and 20 of 25 from free throws, Mitchell is now the seventh player in history to sign a game of at least 70 points. In addition, he has pulverized the record for a Cavaliers player, which was shared by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving with 57 points, as well as the player who has scored the most points for Chicago, which was held by Wilt Chamberlain with 68 points. Just enjoy.
The Cavs star’s point sequence was as follows: 5 points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, 24 in the third, 18 in the fourth and 13 in overtime; that is to say, he achieved 55 goals after the break.
Obviously, with such scoring madness, his game was going to shine in any way, but it did so even more with a decisive action in the last moments of the regulation 48 minutes. With four seconds left and trailing by three points, Mitchell had two free throws. He scored the first and missed the second on purpose, being able to grab his own rebound and get the basket that took the game into overtime. In the five minutes added Cleveland passed over the Illinois.
“A lesson in humility”
Mitchell’s 71 points are the most in the last 17 years in the NBA. To find a superior feat, you have to go back to January 22, 2006, when Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. Regarding the absolute record, it belongs to Wilt Chamberlain, who went to 100 points on March 2, 1962. Joining names of this level is extremely satisfying for the Cavaliers player.
“To be in that place, in the record books with guys like Wilt, is really humbling. I always believed that he could be one of the best players in the league. I am speechless and I feel blessed to be in the company of such greatness», he expresses.
Mitchell’s night
This is how we and his own team live it. When he got into a rhythm until he did what only David Thompson, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson, Devin Booker and the aforementioned Chamberlain and Bryant had done before, the order sent from the bench was to make way for him and to do everything possible to help you find the best possible situations on the parquet. Mitchell was on fire and it was time to keep the flame burning.
“Tonight we were treated to one of the greatest performances in the history of this game. Every play he made was a necessary play. Donovan has never put himself above the team, so how can you not support a guy like that? I told everyone else to get out of his way,” says JB Bickerstaff, head coach the Cleveland.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)