Donovan Mitchell's 71-point game, by the numbers: Cavaliers star sets career-high, franchise record in OT win

Donovan Mitchell rewrote the record books with one of the best scoring performances in recent history. 

Mitchell now owns the highest single game score among active players after exploding for a career-high 71 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from 21 points down to secure a 145-135 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls.

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He added 11 assists, and eight rebounds on the night, sending the game into overtime with an incredible play, getting his own rebound off the missed free throw and putting it back in with just three seconds remaining in regulation.

He went on to score 13 points in the extra period, capping off his masterful performance with the W on a night the Cavs were without two key starters in Darius Garland (right thumb sprain) and Evan Mobley (ankle).

“I’ve never been witness to a performance like that live.” Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We were treated tonight to one of the greatest performances in the history of the NBA.”

As the 26-year-old etched his name in NBA history, let's dive into some of the key records and numbers behind his monster night.  

71: A new Cavs record

Mitchell not only set a new career-high with his 71 points, he also set a franchise record, passing LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in the Cavaliers record books, less than half a season into his tenure in Cleveland. 

.@spidadmitchell is just the 5th player in @cavs history to score 50 PTS in a game, joining...

LeBron James (9 times)
Kyrie Irving (2 times)
Walt Wesley
Darius Garland#LetEmKnow

— Cavs Notes (@CavsNotes) January 3, 2023

99: Mitchell does it all

When you put your name alongside only Wilt Chamberlain, you know you've had a good night. 

With his career-high tying 11 assists to go with his 71 points, Mitchell scored or assisted on 99 points for the Cavaliers, the second-most in NBA history behind Chamberlain (104), per Opta Stats.

Donovan Mitchell of the @cavs scored or assisted on 99 points tonight.

That's the second most in a game in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain in his 100-point game on March 2, 1962 (104).

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 3, 2023

Mitchell connected on 22-of-34 shots from the field, 7-of-15 from the 3-point line, and 20-of-25 at the free throw line. 

Check out his shot chart below:

Mitchell joins elite company

The Cavaliers guard is just the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a single game, eclipsing the previous high among active players of 70 points, set by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker. 

Mitchell's 71 points are tied with Elgin Baylor and David Robinson for the eighth-highest score in a single game. 

*Denotes active player

Mitchell leads the NBA

Following tonight's performance, Mitchell now owns the highest-scoring game this season, eclipsing the previous high of 60 points set by Luka Doncic just last week.

Of the 11 50-plus point games this season, only Doncic, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker have recorded multiple 50-point games this season.