Donovan Mitchell
To state Donovan Mitchell’s performance on Monday Night against Chicago Bulls as sensational, would be quite an understatement. The 3-time All-Star not only dropped a career-high tally of 71 points but even led his team past the Bulls in OT.
What’s more impressive? Mitchell wasn’t on fire from the word ‘go.’ Interestingly, 55 of his 71 points came after halftime as the Cavaliers overcame a 21-point deficit. This wasn’t only Donovan Mitchell’s career-high but even Cavaliers’ franchise record. Perhaps the Cleveland Cavaliers could not have hope for a better start in 2023.
Safe to say, in a season where big numbers have been the norm, Donovan Mitchell put up this season’s best tally of individual points, which was the best individual numbers ever seen in two decades. This 71-point performance was the most ever dropped by an individual behind Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in January 2006 against the Toronto Raptors.
There have just been seven players who have dropped 70 points or more, Mitchell surely has joined an elite list that includes Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, and the current sensation of Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker.
“This is nuts, to be honest,” said Mitchell, as per NBA.com. “I’m extremely blessed and humbled that I’m in that company, in that group. I’ve always believed I can be one of the best players in this league, but I’ve got to keep working. This is a big milestone, but at the end of the day, those guys have all won at the highest level. That’s my ultimate goal.”
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