The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season. It also marks the first time in Donovan Mitchell’s career that he’s reached this round in the playoffs. Early in the contest against the New York Knicks, Mitchell recorded his first career bucket participating in a Conference Finals matchup.

Early in the first quarter, the 29-year-old guard was given the ball behind the three-point line just beyond the top of the key. After pump faking Josh Hart and resetting his feet, Mitchell scored a nice three-point shot to record his first points of the contest.

Donovan Mitchell has been phenomenal throughout the postseason, serving as the go-to scoring option for the Cavs heading into the Conference Finals. He entered Tuesday’s Game 1 matchup against the Knicks, averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per contest while shooting 44.5% from the floor and hitting 31.1% of his three-point attempts.

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While the nine-year veteran has been a monster throughout the postseason, the journey to the Eastern Conference Finals has not been an easy one. The Cavs got out of the first round after going seven games against the Toronto Raptors. They then did the same thing in round two, managing to defeat the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons in a 125-94 blowout in Game 7.

With the Knicks having fresh legs for this third-round series, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs will have to be at their best. Fatigue could certainly be a factor, but if the seven-time All-Star maintains his high level of play, Cleveland should give New York a fight in the Eastern Conference Finals.