Donovan Mitchell delivered a performance for the ages Monday night, tying an NBA playoff record with 39 points in the second half alone, as the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away from the Detroit Pistons for a 112-103 victory to even their second-round series at one game apiece.
Mitchell matched the legendary mark set by Eric "Sleepy" Floyd back in 1987 with a free throw at the 27.6-second mark. He had a chance to break the record but missed his second foul shot, finishing with 43 points overall. The scoring explosion was the centerpiece of a stunning 24-0 Cavaliers run that bridged the end of the first half and the opening six minutes of the third quarter, completely flipping the game's momentum. Cleveland trailed 56-52 at the break before taking control for good.
That 24-0 surge was the longest by any team in an NBA playoff game since Minnesota also scored 24 straight in a 2024 Western Conference semifinal. For Cleveland, it was their most dominant postseason run since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98, surpassing the previous best of 19 points.
James Harden added to the Cavaliers' balanced attack, recording his 40th career playoff double-double with 24 points and 11 assists. Evan Mobley was a force on both ends, contributing 17 points, five blocks, and three steals as Cleveland remained perfect at home in six playoff games this year.
For Detroit, Caris LeVert poured in a season-high 24 points in a losing effort. Cade Cunningham was held under 20 points for the first time in 11 playoff games, finishing with 19, while Tobias Harris chipped in 16.
In other playoff action, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Chet Holmgren threw down a tiebreaking dunk with 32.8 seconds left as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers out of the second round with a Game 4 victory. Ajay Mitchell scored 10 of his 28 points in a frantic fourth quarter as the Thunder improved to 8-0 in the postseason. LeBron James had 24 points and 14 rebounds in what could be the final game of his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, but missed a critical driving bank shot late in the contest.