Donovan Mitchell channeled the likes of a Michael Jordan performance in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 121-100 victory against the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the East First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Sunday night.
In 33 minutes of action, Mitchell finished with a stat line of 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. He shot 11-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
His display throughout the night turned to be pivotal, as he kept Cleveland’s offense stable and composed as Miami tried to make their rally.
Not only that, but he also 30 or more points in Game 1 of any playoff series for the seventh straight time. Jordan was the only player to achieve that feat in NBA playoff history.
What’s next for Donovan Mitchell, Cavs
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It’s significant for Donovan Mitchell to accomplish a milestone that only Michael Jordan reached. It speaks volumes to his elite scoring ability, especially in the playoffs.
Mitchell played a major role in helping the Cavs have their best regular season in franchise history outside of the LeBron James era. Winning 64 games in the regular season is no joke, as it indicates that the squad is ready to compete for a championship with Mitchell leading the way.
They showed their potency on offense with the 121 points they scored throughout the game. They did this on excellent shooting splits, making 51.1% of their total shot attempts, including 41.9% from three.
Four players scored in double-digits on Cleveland’s behalf, including Mitchell. Darius Garland came next with 27 points, five assists, three rebounds, and a steal. He shot 10-of-17 overall, including 5-of-9 from downtown. Ty Jerome put up 28 points and five rebounds, while Jarrett Allen provided 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cavs will look to take a 2-0 series lead when they host the Heat in Game 2. The contest will take place on April 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
