Every NBA hopeful dreams to someday enter the same company of Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time and one of the biggest icons the sports world has ever known. Even if it is for just one day, the feeling of hearing one's name in the same breath as the six-time champion is something that should never be forgotten. Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell has actually shared this rarefied air on more than one occasion.
But this is an instance where being in the same category as Air Jordan will just elicit an agonizing groan. After dropping 50 points in a 103-96 Game 6 loss versus the Orlando Magic, Mitchell joins Jordan as the only players to score 50 points or more in multiple postseason defeats, per StatMuse.
Ouch. The last part of that previous sentence belies what the 27-year-old guard accomplished Friday night, which was a magnificent offensive performance that saw him shoot an eye-popping 22-of-36 from the field. Perhaps most stunning of all is that Mitchell scored all 18 of the Cavs' fourth-quarter points.
The scoreboard takes precedence above all, though, especially in the NBA Playoffs. This superb and admirable effort did not propel Cleveland into the second round, thus it will not be remembered as it should. No, this unusual feat will instead shine the spotlight, or rather lowlight, on the rest of the team.
The Cavaliers could not sustain the momentum they generated for themselves in the third, fading in the final frame while the Magic found another gear down the stretch. There is plenty of collective accountability to be doled out throughout a best-of-seven series, but on this night, Mitchell needed more help.
Cavs must put forth a complete offensive attack vs. Magic in Game 7
Darius Garland had an impressive outing consisting of 21 points on 10-of-17 shooting, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, but he did not come through in the clutch. Almost everyone else struggled profusely on the offensive end. There is one individual in particular, however, who must answer the call.
Fans have been patiently waiting for Evan Mobley to ascend to the next tier of NBA talent, something that seemed inevitable when he first came into the league. The 22-year-old center has plenty of time to validate that prophesy, but the Cavs need him to reach that level in these playoffs.
Mobley's defense, which thrillingly clinched Game 4 for Cleveland after he blocked a Franz Wagner drive to the basket in the closing seconds, is truly difference-making for J.B. Bickerstaff's squad. The thing holding him back from staking his claim in the upper echelon of the league is his offensive production.
Despite recording a mammoth five blocks in Game 6, Mobley scored a measly three points on 1-of-5 shooting in Game 6. He understandably holds more defesnive responsibilities with Jarrett Allen nursing a rib injury, but the big man must assert himself more on offense. He is too talented to post that type of showing in a potential series-sealing contest.
Mobley cannot be one-dimensional on Sunday afternoon. This is the opportunity for him to truly announce his presence on a big stage.
Donovan Mitchell can't do it on his own, but he must be “The guy”
Beyond Evan Mobley, members of the supporting cast like Caris LeVert must come alive. Donovan Mitchell needs to meet his standard, too, but he should not be expected to carry the Cavaliers for an entire fourth quarter again.
As history proves, that is not always a winning formula. And it is not this team's ideal path forward. There is enough ability scattered across the roster to take care of business at home in Game 7. Mitchell knows he has to set the tone, though.
Although the five-time All-Star has shot the ball inefficiently for much of the series, he exploded in a crucial Game 6. Michael Jordan is eternally revered for his propensity to step up in those moments. Despite his NBA Finals immortality, the five-time MVP still experienced his share of postseason disappointment.
The 63 points Jordan posted in a loss to the Boston Celtics in 1986 served as a precursor to the mounds of playoff success he would consume in the 1990s. Hopefully, Donovan Mitchell will not have to wait quite as long for his monster night to be rewarded.
The Cavs and Magic collide in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in a do-or-die clash that could have major ramifications for the future of this franchise. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET.
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