Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell showed his late-game confidence in Cleveland's 2023-24 season opener against Brooklyn. Despite taking contact on the final possession, he recovered, created enough space and knocked down a clutch 3-pointer to give the Cavaliers a 114-113 victory. He finished with 27 points, four 3-pointers, six assists, five rebounds and four steals.

No. 4 Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell has developed a reputation as one of the NBA's most electric guards, and his presence can completely change the energy inside an arena. His explosive scoring ability and aggressive style have made him a natural crowd favorite, with his biggest moments often bringing the building to another level.

A Downhill Monster

Mitchell's combination of speed, strength and ball-handling makes him especially dangerous when attacking downhill. He can turn a screen into an opening, freeze a defender with his handle and explode toward the rim before the defense has time to recover. His athleticism gives him the ability to finish above the defense or create opportunities for teammates.

Cleveland made a major move when it acquired Mitchell in 2022, bringing an established All-Star scorer into the heart of its young roster. Mitchell quickly embraced his role as one of the team's leaders and has continued to play with the confidence that has defined his career. His belief in his own ability has become a major part of his identity as a player.

Record-Setting From Beyond the Arc

Mitchell's ability to catch fire from beyond the arc was on full display in March 2022. He knocked down six 3-pointers against Chicago before following it up with seven more against New York in his next game. The stretch helped push his season total to 209 made 3-pointers, setting a new Utah Jazz franchise record at the time.

Once Mitchell gets into the lane, defenses have to make a difficult choice. He can attack the rim himself, draw multiple defenders and create an open look for a teammate, or pull up and finish from distance. His ability to combine driving pressure with perimeter shooting makes him one of the NBA's most difficult guards to contain.

A 71-Point Night

Mitchell delivered one of the defining scoring performances of the 2022-23 season when he erupted for 71 points against Chicago on January 2, 2023. The performance ranked among the highest-scoring games in NBA history, but his impact went beyond his own scoring. Mitchell also contributed as a playmaker and was involved in 98 of Cleveland's points during the win.

Cleveland's rapid rise made the Cavaliers one of the NBA's most interesting young teams in 2022-23. Mitchell's arrival accelerated that progress, giving the team an established All-Star capable of carrying an offense and creating his own shot. After joining Cleveland, the expectations changed quickly. The postseason was no longer simply the goal. Winning became the expectation.