Two years ago today, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell etched his name into Cavaliers history with a stunning 71-point performance, leading his team to a thrilling 145-134 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Mitchell’s remarkable feat not only set a new franchise record but also marked the highest single-game score by any player in the league since Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game in 2006.
Mitchell’s journey to this historic moment began with a challenging start, as the Cavaliers found themselves trailing by 21 points. However, Mitchell scored an astonishing 55 points in the second half alone, including a dramatic play in the final seconds of regulation, where he grabbed his own missed free throw and made a circus shot to force overtime.
In the extra period, Mitchell continued his onslaught, adding 13 more points to seal the victory. His performance not only surpassed the previous franchise record held by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving but also placed him among the elite few in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a game.
Reflecting on his achievement, Mitchell expressed his gratitude and humility, stating,
“To be there in the record books with guys like Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant is truly incredible. I’ve always believed I could be one of the best players in the 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.”
