Image Source: CBC Sports
After scoring 71 points for the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell was drug tested by the NBA
In a thrilling overtime action on Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls. The night’s real star, though, was recently acquired Donovan Mitchell, who scored 71 points. However, that performance had a price, at least according to Donovan Mitchell’s Twitter account. Mitchell did in fact admit that he was drug tested on Tuesday.
The information was also verified by the team immediately. While such “random” checks are a regular part of the schedule for the NBA players, the timing of this test – just hours after Mitchell put up the record-breaking numbers – has raised some questions. Mitchell, to his credit, handled it well and even managed to find the humour in it.
In case you forgot, Mitchell sparked the Cavaliers’ comeback against the Chicago Bulls in overtime after they had fallen behind by 21 points. His 71 points set a team record and surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 as the most points ever recorded in a single game.
In terms of records, Mitchell’s performance ranked as the eighth-highest-scoring match in NBA history and the most points any player has scored this season. Another intriguing development since the game on Monday is that the NBA stated on Tuesday that Mitchell’s effort of 71 points shouldn’t have ever happened.
When Mitchell deliberately missed his free shot and then tipped it back in for two in the game’s final few minutes, the game was thrown into overtime. It was amazing to see. However, according to the NBA, Mitchell really crossed the line too soon. His basket shouldn’t have counted, and the Bulls ought to have won in light of it.