Mitchell’s Free Throws Sets Franchise Playoff Record For Points Scored
Aug 17, 2020, 2:14 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2021, 2:12 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes up for a shot against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 17, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell knocked down two big free throws late in the fourth quarter to set a new franchise record for most points scored in a Playoff game.
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Mitchell’s free throws gave him 51 points and tied the game at 115 with 22 second remaining. The Denver Nuggets could get the game-winning shot to fall and the game went to overtime.
Through four quarters, Mitchell had 51 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists on 17 of 28 shooting from the field, 5 for 12 from the three-point line and a perfect 12 for 12 from the free throw line.
The previous record for the Jazz was a 50-point performance by Karl Malone against the Seattle Supersonics in the 2000 NBA Playoffs.
š·ļø on š„@spidadmitchell @utahjazz #TakeNote
š: https://t.co/URAky7NKaT
šø: Getty pic.twitter.com/jGv7hH5IND
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 17, 2020
Per Stat Head, Mitchell is the youngest player to score 50 points or more in a playoff game since Michael Jordan scored 63 points against the Celtics.
Per a @StatHead search, Donovan Mitchell is the youngest player to score 50+ in a playoff game since Michael Jordan's 63 vs. the Celtics.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 17, 2020
Mitchell had a slow start to the game with just two points in the opening quarter. He had a significantly better second quarter, posting 17 points, going to the halftime break with 19 points.
The third quarter was decent offensively with 10 points for Mitchell. The fourth quarter, Mitchell took over, finishing with 22 points in the fourth quarter.
The Jazz are without Mike Conley, who is with his family after the birth of their son on Sunday. Juwan Morgan started in place on Conley to give the Jazz more height and a presence on the perimeter.
