The 2025-26 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers has been a bit more up-and-down than the previous few. At 15-11, it’s not quite the same beginning.
After winning 64 games under Kenny Atkinson in year one, things have not quite been the same. Darius Garland is playing through pain. Jarrett Allen has been out. Sam Merrill got off to a roaring start, but has missed several weeks in a row with a hand issue.
One thing that is very different this time around though, is the play of Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland’s star guard is scoring at a career-best clip, and doesn’t seem to be having many off days.
After dropping 48 points on the Washington Wizards (24 in the 4th quarter), Mitchell moved into a tie with two Hall-of-Famers on the list of most 40-point games. Vince Carter, and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Mitchell paid homage to Carter as a rookie winning the slam dunk contest. He’s now tied with the legend. Along with the Dream, too. It’s a big deal.
Donovan Mitchell Making More History
The start for the Cleveland Cavaliers isn’t inspiring confidence in the team at large. One thing that is very clear though, is that Donovan Mitchell is at the top of his game. Not many guys in the league have been better this year. MVP has been a word floated around this season.
Scoring 24 points in a fourth quarter is something that only three Cavaliers players have ever done. Darius Garland, when he had 27 big ones against Minnesota. LeBron James, dropping 24 against the Raptors nearly 20 years ago. And now Spida Mitchell tying LeBron in Washington.
Cleveland’s star guard averaged 24 points per game while hitting just 44% of his shots last year. To be averaging 31 now, and hitting over 50% of his shots, puts him in some serious company.
LeBron is the only player in franchise history to average 30+ points per game in a season. In 2005-06, James averaged 31.4. In 2025-26 now, Mitchell is averaging 31.3. He’s right on the precipice of doing something else never done here.
The Louisville product also has the only 70-point game by a Cavalier.
Projecting Next Steps for Mitchell and Cavaliers
Winning games should be Cleveland’s top priority as they start to get healthier. The upcoming stretch for them features battles with the likes of the Hornets, Bulls, and Pelicans. Three teams that have struggled to win games, all lined up in a row.
Through the next five games, ahead of their Christmas Day battle with the Knicks, chances to play elite ball sits in front of Cleveland. The offense they still provide (9th in scoring) should be plenty. With Donovan Mitchell continuing to fill it up, and Evan Mobley playing his best basketball of the season, a streak appears imminent.
Mobley has recorded a double-double in four straight games, while his defense is starting to round back into the form of last year’s DPOY. Rim protection is the most important thing here, and the big man deterring opponents goes a long way towards the team’s success.
With Mitchell doing his thing, few blowouts should befall the Cavs. Now tied with Hakeem Olajuwon and Vince Carter with 32 games of 40+ points, there’s another legacy-defining performance.
As long as the wins come, his MVP candidacy can have legitimacy, while spirits can be kept just a little higher.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Cavs Superstar Ties Two Hall-of-Famers In Latest Performance appeared first on Heavy Sports.