CNN
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It was a high-scoring evening within the NBA on Monday as each Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James set factors data.
Mitchell scored 71 factors – the best single-game factors complete since Los Angeles Lakers nice Kobe Bryant scored 81 towards Toronto in 2006 – because the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Chicago Bulls 145-134 in extra time.
His career-high complete is a franchise file and, in keeping with the NBA, Mitchell is the seventh participant to attain 70-plus factors in a recreation.
Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA file with 100 factors for Philadelphia towards New York on March 2, 1962.
“To be there within the file guide with guys like Wilt is actually humbling,” stated Mitchell, per ESPN. “I all the time believed I may very well be among the finest gamers within the league. I’m speechless and blessed to be within the firm of that greatness.”
Mitchell was soaked with water by his teammates on the finish of the sport, whereas his coach J.B. Bickerstaff described his efficiency as “one of many best performances within the historical past of the sport.”
“Each single play that he made was a play that was mandatory,” stated Bickerstaff, in keeping with ESPN. “Donovan has by no means put himself above the workforce, so how will you not root for a man like that? I advised everybody else to get out of the way in which.”
Mitchell broke James’ earlier Cavaliers file of 57 factors in a recreation. James had collectively owned that file with Kyrie Irving, although the NBA nice additionally put his title within the historical past books on Monday.
In scoring 43 factors because the Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets 121-115, James turned solely the second player aged 35 or older to file back-to-back 40-plus level video games. The opposite being Michael Jordan.
