Donovan Mitchell channels his inner Dwyane Wade, delivering a 45-point night that helped lift the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Orlando Magic 114-98
It's been a week of making comps for Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson.
A couple of days removed from describing a 29-point, 13-rebound performance by Evan Moley, "Shaquille O'Neal-like," on Monday, it was Donovan Mitchell's turn. Following a brilliant 45-point night, Atkinson was having Dwyane Wade vibes.
"I told him he was Dwyane Wade," Atkinson said following Cleveland's 114-98 win over the Orlando Magic. "You know how Dwyane Wade used to get to the rim all the time, and finish?"
Mitchell was undeniably special. His 45 points came on 15-26 shooting, good for 60% from the floor. He was also five-of-eight from three (62.5%) and made 10-of-12 free throws. It was the fifth time this season he dropped 40-plus points in a game. Only four players have recorded more.
Orlando had no answers for Mitchell defensively. He got any and every shot he wanted, and on a night where scoring was hard to come by from supporting case members, not named Mobley or Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland needed that type of night from its superstar.
"Especially with the minutes, I mean, we're riding him, facts," said Atkinson. "And he's delivering. And it's not like we're getting a weak effort on the defensive end. Like I think he's doing it both ways. Guy's just having a great, great, great season."
Mitchell's season has been defined by his unique ability to be whatever the team needs on any given night. Injuries have ravaged the Cavs roster this season. On Monday night, for example, they were missing Mitchell's sidekick Darius Garland, sharpshooter Sam Merrill, and bench weapon De'Andre Hunter. Meanwhile, Max Strus has yet to play a game this season.
Almost every night, Mitchell has to don a cape of some sort; it's just a matter of which type of hero he needs to be.
"He's understanding where this team is, right," said Atkinson. "Maybe last year he can take two-or-three more threes, but we need him to be even more efficient that he was, and I think getting to the free throw line, getting to the rim, that helps. It's his understanding the team dynamics. What we need from him in the moment. And tonight he needed to get 45."
In retrospect, the Cavs seem to know that leaning on Mitchell this much isn't a sustainable model to accomplish the ultimate goal of making a deep playoff run, or perhaps even playing for a championship.
While they continue to navigate some unfortunate circumstances, though, Mitchell has embraced being Superman. It's paying off of late, with Cleveland now riding a four-game win streak and having won seven-of-nine.
"It's kind of just figuring out where we're at, like it's part of my job as a leader," Mitchell said after the game. "Just trying to be aggressive and set the tone. [Orlando] came out and punched first, and I felt like it was my job to go out there and respond. As a leader, the ball was going in, trying to be aggressive and get downhill and I found myself knocking some threes down, knocking some different things down, ball was going in. Some nights it's not gonna be like that."
As up-and-down as this season has been, it's hard to imagine where the Cavs would be without Mitchell. And nothing underscores his greatness more than his willingness to mold into whatever is needed for his team.
And yet, Mitchell has become a footnote in the MVP conversation. Atkinson isn't really sure why.
"I don't watch every other team obviously, I'm bias, but I can't imagine he's not a top three player in this league," said Cleveland's head man. "He's not in the MVP conversation – kind of mind-boggling to me. I don't know why. He's having an incredible year."