Donovan Mitchell continues to solidify his place among basketball’s elite, even as his team struggles to capitalize on his brilliance. On Sunday night, during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second-round opener against the Indiana Pacers, Mitchell delivered yet another scoring masterclass. He poured in more than 30 points in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately ended in a 121-112 loss for Cleveland.
But beyond the final score, Mitchell made history. With this performance, he now holds the record for the most consecutive 30-point games in playoff series openers, passing none other than Michael Jordan. The streak, which began during the 2021 playoffs while Mitchell was with the Utah Jazz, reached eight straight such games.
Cleveland leans on its star
At 28 years old, Mitchell has become the undisputed engine of the Cavaliers‘ postseason ambitions. The team is banking on his scoring power to carry them past a scrappy Indiana squad and into their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2018, a season that feels like a distant memory from the LeBron James era.
Mitchell’s consistency in playoff debuts is staggering. Just two weeks earlier, he opened Cleveland’s first-round series against the Miami Heat with a 30-point, five-rebound, four-assist outing that helped secure a win. This time, however, the result was different. Despite Mitchell’s offensive firepower, the Cavaliers couldn’t keep the Pacers at bay, and now face a 0-1 hole in the series.
Game 2 becomes a must-win
As the series shifts forward, Cleveland knows it must respond. Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, is now pivotal. Losing back-to-back home games would put the Cavs in a dire position before heading to Indiana. Mitchell may be making headlines for his personal accolades, but he’s focused on team success.
“I’d trade any record for a win,” Mitchell said postgame. That mentality will be critical if Cleveland wants to avoid another early playoff exit. They’ve got the star power, but now they need the wins to match.
With the Pacers gaining confidence and Mitchell entering rarified air, all eyes will be on how Cleveland adjusts in Game 2.
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