The MVP of the night | Donovan Mitchell the legend

Even before the extension, Donovan Mitchell LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have been erased from the shelves! Author of a miracle basket to clinch the extension, the All-Star rear just scored his 58th point against the Bulls. This is one more than the Irving-LeBron duo, co-holders until then of the Cleveland franchise record. That was a sensational achievement when he had only been there for two and a half months.

But Donovan Mitchell would do better… Fully owned, he would fly into overtime to score 13 more points and allow the Cavaliers to win 145-134. An 11 point victory as the Cavaliers led by 21 points in the first half. A landmark achievement since Donovan Mitchell finished the game with… 71 points!!! This is clearly his career high, but it is also the 6th best performance of all time. In 16 years, and Kobe Bryant’s 81 points against the Raptors, no one has reached that total.

With 71 points, Donovan Mitchell is tied with David Robinson and Elgin Baylor, and is ahead of only Devin Booker, who scored 70 points in the loss to the Celtics. He is the first player to accumulate more than 70 points and 10 assists in history. He is also the smallest player (1m85) to reach 70 points.

“Finding yourself up there in the record books, with guys like Wilt, is a real lesson in humility”said Donovan Mitchell. “I always believed that I could be one of the best players in the league. I am speechless and privileged to be with the greatest. »

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James tribute

From a distance, Donovan Mitchell received congratulations from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, who scored 57 points in a Cleveland jersey. “Good. Records are made to be broken” leader’s reaction. “I’m happy with what he did. The funny thing is that I played Call Of Duty with him a little before the game. We were on the same team, and I could tell he was determined! »

On the side of Charlotte where he planted 43 points last night, LeBron James discovered the incredible performance of Donovan Mitchell. A player he has always followed closely since the former Jazz back, then a teenager, was on the set of “The Decision”.

“I haven’t seen the highlights of the game, but obviously the man must be on fire” commented the Lakers superstar. “We’re in a game where a lot of guys say they can score… Some of the best guys do… Tonight Donovan showed he’s one of the best. Every time you plant 70, 60, 50, 40 points… We know you are very good at what you do. He will definitely never forget, his family will never forget.”

Was involved in 99 of his team’s points!

The impressive thing is that Donovan Mitchell even came close to the triple-double because he added 11 assists and 8 rebounds! Involved in 99 points for his team, he gained momentum in the minutes to score 18 points in the 4th quarter, then 13 in overtime.

“For our part, we consider it one of the greatest performances in the history of this sport” believes JB Bickerstaff, the Cleveland coach. “Every action on his part is necessary. Donovan has never put himself above the team, and how can you not follow him? At one point I said to others: get out of his way! »

The symbol of this performance action is this basket to seize the extension. There were only three seconds left, and Donovan Mitchell deliberately missed his free throw, and he himself went for the offensive rebound and he got a snack basket. At that point, we told ourselves that nothing could happen to him. Neither did the Cavaliers for that matter. Because the most important thing is that Cleveland wins.

“I think I’ve had a game like this before in NBA2K, but I don’t think I’ve been that good” laughs the superhero of the night.“And again, this is in defeat…I am speechless. Not just because of what I did, but because I did it to get us back in the game and win. Crazy! »