Former Louisville basketball legend Donovan Mitchell continues to prove why he is one of the best Cardinals of all time. Mitchell played for Louisville for two seasons, 2015-16 and 2016-17, and was drafted No. 13 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Donovan Mitchell will etch his name in Louisville basketball's record books Sunday
He is now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has already made Louisville history in the NBA with the most All-Star selections and the most points by a former Cardinal, and he just tied NBA history with a historic night in the 2026 NBA Playoffs last night.
Donovan Mitchell ties NBA Playoff history with jaw-dropping second-half explosion
Mitchell etched his name in the NBA history books last night after the elite guard scored a dominant 39 points in the second half alone. The former Cardinal tied the NBA Playoff record for the most points in the second half with his 39-point second-half explosion, as he tied Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, who scored 51 points, including 39 points in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987.
Mitchell finished the game with 43 points as he shot 13-of-26 from the field and 4-of-12 from beyond the arc. Mitchell and the Cavs tied the series at 2-2, and it will now go back to Detroit.
DONOVAN MITCHELL TIES ALL-TIME RECORD FOR MOST PTS IN A HALF IN A PLAYOFF GAME 🤯🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2026
43 PTS (39 2H)
13-26 FG
4 3PM
LEADS THE CAVS TO EVEN SERIES VS PISTONS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/nqEfe6Xe7Z
The Cavs also had a 24-0 run during game 4, which lasted from the final 12 seconds in the first half through the first six minutes of the third quarter. Mitchell had 15 points of those 24 points, including the first eight points in the third quarter.
In the second half alone, Mitchell went 12-of-18 from the field, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. Mitchell missed a free throw with 27.6 seconds remaining, which would have ultimately broken the NBA Playoff record for the most points in a second half.
Mitchell and the Cavs return to action Wednesday, May 13, for game 5 against the Detroit Pistons at 8 p.m. ET.
Also read: Donovan Mitchell isn't having the hate for Louisville basketball's star freshman
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