Mitchell Scores 91 Points in Two Games: Drops 43+9 to Outshine Haliburton’s 4, First to Hit 90+ in 2024 Playoffs

On May 10 (Beijing time), in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Cavaliers welcomed back three key starters and decisively defeated the Pacers on the road, avoiding another comeback loss. Cleveland now trails the series 1-2, and Donovan Mitchell was unquestionably their biggest hero. He hit 5 threes and posted 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, clearly outperforming Tyrese Haliburton, who had only 4 points on 2-for-8 shooting. Mitchell’s back-to-back 40+ point games, totaling 91 points, makes him the first player to do so in the 2024 playoffs.

Remarkably, Mitchell has now scored 30+ points in three consecutive playoff games, and five times in total this postseason. Despite his 48-point outburst in Game 2, the Cavaliers were narrowly defeated after blowing a 20-point lead without three key players.

With the Cavaliers facing a must-win situation in Game 3—no NBA team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit—Mitchell set the tone early, hitting a transition three-pointer and leading Cleveland to a 16-4 start and a 23-8 lead. Though Indiana fought back to tie it at 32-32, Mitchell found his rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. The Cavs crushed the Pacers 34-13 in that period and led by 21 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Pacers launched a counterattack, but Mitchell kept scoring, adding 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including two threes. He had 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists by the end of the third.

When Indiana threatened again in the fourth, cutting the lead to 11, Mitchell responded with aggressive drives and perimeter shots, helping the Cavaliers pull away for a dominant 25+ point win.

Mitchell's back-to-back 40-point performances show his elite playoff form and leadership, giving Cleveland renewed hope as they aim to turn the series around.