Donovan Mitchell made history on Sunday night, tying Michael Jordan for the most consecutive Game 1 playoff performances with at least 30 points. Mitchell’s 30-point outing helped propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-100 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Mitchell has now scored 30 or more points in Game 1 for seven straight playoff series, matching a feat Jordan accomplished twice in his legendary career. After the game, Mitchell reflected on his approach, emphasizing the need to set the tone and stay aggressive to see how defenses respond.
Alongside his 30 points, Mitchell contributed four steals, four assists, and five rebounds, shooting an efficient 11-for-19 from the field. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised Mitchell’s versatility and willingness to do whatever the team needs, calling him a “complete player” who never shies away from tough assignments.
Mitchell’s consistency in the postseason continues to stand out. Over 10 career playoff series, he has averaged 28.1 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite these impressive numbers, Mitchell’s teams have faced challenges in advancing, with a 3-7 overall playoff series record, including 1-2 since joining Cleveland.
With the Cavaliers taking a 1-0 series lead, Mitchell’s milestone performance not only cements his status among the game’s elite scorers but also sets the tone for Cleveland’s playoff ambitions this year.
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