The Cleveland Cavaliers got on the board first in their opening-round playoff series, taking Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors behind a strong showing from Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs guard poured in a game-high 32 points, while he and James Harden combined for 54 to help Cleveland seize control early at Rocket Arena.
Still, Mitchell wasn’t most focused on his scoring outburst after the win. Instead, he pointed to a defensive play late in the second quarter—his steal just before halftime—as the moment that stood out most to him.
Mitchell said he’s focused on doing whatever it takes to secure a win. While 32 points is a solid number, he noted that the steal to close the half meant a lot to him. He added that battling on box-outs and helping on the glass are the kinds of small, winning plays that translate directly to success.
Overall, Mitchell filled up the stat sheet in Game 1. Along with his 32 points, he chipped in three rebounds, four assists, and two steals across 31 minutes. He was efficient throughout, shooting 11-for-20 from the floor, 4-for-7 from deep, and 6-for-7 from the foul line.
Mitchell entered the postseason riding the momentum of one of the strongest campaigns of his career. In 70 appearances, he averaged just over 33 minutes per game and posted 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per night. He also shot 48.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.5 percent at the stripe.
His scoring average this season ranks as the second-best of his career, trailing only the 28.3 points per game he posted in 2022-23. His field-goal percentage also stands as the second-highest mark of his career, narrowly behind the 48.4 percent he recorded that same season.
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