CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ electrifying guard, carved his name into NBA history on May 4, 2025, shattering a playoff record once held by the untouchable Michael Jordan. In a blistering performance against the Orlando Magic, Mitchell dropped 31 points in Game 1 of their first-round series, marking his eighth consecutive playoff series opener with at least 30 points. Jordan’s previous record of seven straight 30-point Game 1s, set across two stints in the 1990s, stood for decades as a testament to his dominance. Now, it’s Mitchell’s.
The 28-year-old, known for his relentless drives and dagger-like jumpers, didn’t just break the record—he did it with the kind of swagger that’s become his trademark. Early in the game, he sliced through Orlando’s defense, sinking floaters and pulling up for threes that left the Amway Center crowd stunned. By the third quarter, with Cleveland pulling ahead, the stat trackers were buzzing: Mitchell had not only tied Jordan’s mark but surpassed it. The final buzzer confirmed the Cavs’ 104-99 victory, and Mitchell’s place in the history books.
This wasn’t a one-night fluke. Mitchell’s been a playoff terror since his rookie year with Utah, routinely torching defenses when the stakes are highest. His streak began in 2018, and over the years, he’s piled up 30-plus-point Game 1s against Denver, Memphis, and now Orlando, among others. The NBA’s official record-keepers noted that Mitchell’s consistency in series openers is unmatched, a feat made more impressive by the physical toll of playoff basketball.
Cleveland’s coaching staff, led by J.B. Bickerstaff, leaned heavily on Mitchell’s scoring outburst to set the tone for the series. The Cavs, who finished the regular season 48-34, are banking on their star’s ability to carry them deep into the postseason. Mitchell, for his part, stayed focused post-game, brushing off the record with a nod to his team’s defensive effort and clutch rebounding.
The numbers don’t lie: 31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in 38 minutes. Mitchell shot 11-for-20 from the field, including 3-for-7 from beyond the arc. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, a rising star in his own right, led the Magic with 27 points, but couldn’t match Mitchell’s firepower down the stretch. The game, played on May 4, was the first of what promises to be a bruising Eastern Conference battle.
Mitchell’s ascent to this milestone comes amid a career that’s seen him evolve from a promising rookie to a five-time All-Star. Drafted 13th overall by Denver in 2017 and traded to Utah, he’s now the cornerstone of a Cavaliers franchise hungry for its first championship since 2016. His contract, a five-year, $163 million deal signed in 2021, runs through next season, though extension talks are reportedly on the horizon.
The record itself, meticulously tracked by the NBA’s stats department, underscores Mitchell’s rare blend of explosiveness and poise. Jordan’s streak spanned his prime with the Chicago Bulls, from 1991-93 and 1997-98, eras defined by his six championships. Mitchell, playing in a faster, three-point-heavy NBA, has adapted the blueprint to his own game, blending acrobatic layups with deep-range shooting.
As the series shifts to Game 2 in Orlando, Mitchell’s performance has already sent ripples through the league. Cleveland fans, bundled against the lingering spring chill, spilled out of bars near Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse chanting his name. The kid from Elmsford, New York, just outdid the greatest to ever lace ‘em up. And he’s not done yet.
Mitchell finished with 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 38 minutes. Cleveland defeated Orlando 104-99. The series continues with Game 2 on May 7, 2025, in Orlando.