Donovan Mitchell's Historic Second Half Powers Cavaliers to Victory Over Pistons
Donovan Mitchell delivered a stunning performance on Monday, scoring 43 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 112-103 victory against the Detroit Pistons, leveling their second-round series at two games apiece. This game marked Mitchell's fourth playoff outing with at least 40 points for the Cavaliers, surpassing Kyrie Irving for the second-most in franchise history, trailing only LeBron James's 24. Remarkably, Mitchell scored just four points by halftime, exploding for 39 points in the second half, tying for the record of the most points ever scored in a single playoff half. The stakes were high for the Cavaliers, who faced a potential 3-1 series deficit. Mitchell's leadership shone through as the team embarked on a 23-0 run to start the second half, the most unanswered points to open a playoff half in the last 30 years. This run, combined with the final two points of the first half, contributed to a 25-0 scoring spree, the second-largest in the play-by-play era. Key moments from the game included: Mitchell's eight points within the first 96 seconds of the third quarter. Scoring 21 points in the third quarter, marking the fifth time he has achieved 20 or more points in a single playoff quarter. Joining the elite company of Stephen Curry and Jamal Murray for such playoff performances since 1997. Mitchell's playoff prowess is well-documented, including a remarkable 57 points against the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs, ranking as the third-highest single-game output in playoff history. His ability to deliver under pressure continues to define his legacy in the NBA.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-12