Utah Jazz rising star Donovan Mitchell notched history on Sunday, joining the ranks of NBA Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson as the third NBA player to record a 50-point outing multiple times in a seven-game playoff series.
For the second time in the Jazz's Western Conference first-round match-up against the Denver Nuggets, Mitchell again eclipsed the 50-point mark in Game 4, powering his team to a thrilling 129-127 win and a commanding 3-1 series lead. The one-time All-Star finished with 51 points on 15-of-27 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 from deep, along with four boards and seven dimes in 38 minutes on Sunday.
The Jazz win this 129-127 to take a 3-1 lead in this series. And what a performance from Donovan Mitchell. 51 points. Second 50 spot of the series. He and Jordan and Iverson are the only three to have multiple 50 spots in the same series.
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) August 24, 2020
Moreover, Mitchell also became the fourth player in history to record the feat in a single playoff run. The Louisville-alum also racked up a career-high 57 markers in a losing effort for the Jazz in Game 1. The 6-foot-1 guard will have plenty more opportunities to set more records, considering Utah is now one win away from advancing to the next round.
Players with multiple 50-point games in a single playoff run:
– Michael Jordan (2x)
– Wilt Chamberlain
– Allen Iverson
– Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/jpheuEbPub— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 24, 2020
Donovan Mitchell has truly been phenomenal inside the bubble in Orlando. His fearless demeanor against the third-best team in the West has rubbed off on his teammates so far in this series. While Spida did most of the heavy lifting in Game 4, his Jazz teammates also came through for him. Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson pitched in 26 and 24 points, respectively, while Rudy Gobert added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
But with the game on the line in the closing minutes, Mitchell knew it was time to put the team on his back. He drained a crucial 3-pointer to halt the Nuggets' momentum and also calmly sunk pressure-packed free throws to seal the victory.
Every first-round series in the West has been a bit … wild
"I want this s—," Donovan Mitchell just announced after splashing a big wing 3
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2020
The 23-year-old guard's poise allowed the Jazz to survive a 50-point outing from Denver's explosive guard Jamal Murray.
More West madness: Players who score 50 are 1-2 in this Utah/Denver series
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2020
Donovan Mitchell has scored a whopping 158 points in four playoff games and is averaging 39.5 points in this series. Utah will get a chance to close things out on Tuesday.
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