Donovan Mitchell had a game to remember. Down 15 points with just one quarter left, he showed some real urgency. “Be aggressive,” he told himself. The Cleveland Cavaliers desperately needed this win after a break.
In the fourth quarter, Mitchell scored 24 of his total 48 points, pushing the Cavaliers to a thrilling 130-126 victory over the Washington Wizards. Both teams were coming off a five-day pause, and the Cavaliers struggled with their shooting, hitting only 15 of 53 three-pointers. Luckily, Mitchell made 8 of 15, which helped turn the game around.
This win was crucial for the Cavaliers, who had fallen behind by 17 points earlier. The Wizards now sit at a tough 3-20 this season. During the fourth, Mitchell lit up the scoreboard, scoring 11 points in just over two minutes. This performance marked the highest-scoring quarter by any player this season, surpassing Jett Howard’s 22 points from earlier this year.
Interestingly, Mitchell’s 24 points tied for the second most scored in a fourth quarter for a Cavaliers player since the 1997-98 season. Darius Garland holds the record with 27 points during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in November 2023. Mitchell’s consistent late-game scoring is impressive; he averages a league-best 9.6 points per game in the fourth quarter.
“When you’re down 15 against a struggling team, it’s easy to give up,” said Mitchell. “But we found a way.” This grit was on full display as the Cavaliers fought back. At one point, they were down 100-85 heading into the fourth, but Mitchell kept pushing. He tied the game with a three-pointer and scored again to take the lead.
A pivotal moment came when Mitchell faced off against 6-foot-11 Marvin Bagley III for a jump ball. It was an unlikely matchup, but they mis-timed their jumps, and the ball landed with Lonzo Ball, who secured two free throws that helped seal the game for Cleveland.
After the game, Mitchell expressed mixed feelings. While celebrating the comeback, he acknowledged the concern over starting a game so far behind. “That can’t happen. We need to do better,” he said. It’s a reminder of how even the best players need to learn from their struggles.
As the Cavaliers look ahead, this performance not only boosts team morale but also highlights Mitchell’s rising star in the league as a clutch player. For fans and analysts alike, this game was a significant testament to resilience in sports.
