Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell scored the most points in a single NBA regular season game since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in 2006.
Mitchell put the Cavaliers on his back and scored 71 points in the team’s overtime win against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. He helped Cleveland force overtime when he recovered his own intentional foul and put the ball back in the rim to tie the game. He then had a few more cubes in the overtime period to secure the 145-134 victory.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with teammates after scoring to tie a basket in an NBA basketball game during the second half against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cleveland.
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
«To be up there in the record books with guys like Wilt is really humbling,» the star guard said after the game. «I always believed that he could be one of the best players in the league. I am speechless and blessed to be in the company of such greatness.»
Mitchell’s mark tied David Robinson and Elgin Baylor, who scored 71 points in 1994 and 1960 respectively. Wilt Chamberlain scored 72 or more points five times, including his 100-point game in 1962. David Thompson scored 73 points in 1978. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker scored 70 points in 2017.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots at Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. , in Cleveland.
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
«It’s very humbling,» he added when it was mentioned that he was standing with the greats with his performance. «I’m speechless. For me, not only did I do that, but I put in an effort when we came back and we won and that’s how we won. It’s crazy.»
Mitchell also offered his condolences to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Hamlin was in critical condition after collapsing in the first quarter of the game.
«Pray for the safety of the Bills. I heard about it but didn’t see it. I wish him and his family … we’re praying for them, all of us in the locker room,» he said.
Cleveland moved to 24-14 with the win and the Bulls fell to 16-21.
Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a missed Pittsburgh Steelers field goal during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
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Bulls star DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 44 points. Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Associated Press contributed to this report.