SPORTS
Cleveland guard Mitchell ties playoff scoring record
PUBLISHED May 12, 2026, 2:57 PM ET
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CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell scored 39 points in the second half to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 comeback win over the Detroit Pistons, tying the NBA record for most points in a single half of a playoff game. On Sunday night, Mitchell surged after a quiet first half in which he scored just four points, finishing with 43 points, six assists and five rebounds. He shot 12-of-16 from the field and made seven three-pointers after halftime. Cleveland erased a 15-point deficit, outscoring Detroit 70-46 in the final two quarters. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points as the series moved to 2-2 heading back to Cleveland for Game 5.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- First half Mitchell scores only four points
- Halftime Cavaliers trail Pistons by fifteen
- Third quarter Mitchell sparks Cleveland comeback
- Second half Mitchell scores thirty-nine points
- Second half Cavaliers outscore Pistons seventy-forty-six
- Second half Detroit held to thirty-eight percent shooting
- Final buzzer Cavaliers defeat Pistons 112-103
- Series now tied 2-2 entering Game Five
News Intelligence
- Mitchell's record-tying performance is a testament to perseverance. Even if you're not a basketball fan, it's a reminder that a slow start doesn't dictate the final outcome. Whether it's a project at work or a personal goal, remember Mitchell's comeback.
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