Donovan Mitchell Credits New Year’s Eve Drinks for Career-High 71-Point Game
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell revealed on the “Cousins” podcast hosted by NBA greats Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady that he consumed alcohol the night before his 71-point performance against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023. According to sports reports, Mitchell attributed his historic output during the 145-134 overtime victory to having a few drinks on New Year’s Eve, marking a rare deviation from his usual pre-game routine.
The New Year’s Eve Lead-Up to a Franchise Record
The sequence of events leading to Mitchell’s historic night began with a busy holiday schedule in Ohio. The Cavaliers played the Chicago Bulls on New Year’s Eve, stayed in Cleveland for New Year’s celebrations, and then faced the Bulls again the very next day, as detailed on the “Cousins” podcast. Mitchell acknowledged that he had never consumed alcohol before a professional game prior to that evening. “It was New Year’s. So I did have a drink — a few drinks — the night before the game,” Mitchell stated on the podcast, emphasizing that it was a singular occurrence in his professional career.
At halftime, the exhaustion of the tight scheduling caught up with the Cavaliers star. Mitchell recorded just 16 points in the first half as Cleveland fell behind by as many as 20 points. Facing a sluggish start and a mounting deficit, his initial objective for the second half was modest. He aimed simply to narrow the margin and bring the game within striking distance heading into the final frame.
How a Slow Start Evolved into a 71-Point Explosion
Mitchell began attacking the rim with heightened aggressiveness, finding a rhythm that had eluded him during the previous week of play. Shots that previously rimmed out started to fall, sparking a massive offensive surge that ultimately forced overtime.
During the third quarter alone, Mitchell erupted for 24 points, shooting 6-9 from the field and converting all 12 of his free-throw attempts. He added another 18 points in the fourth quarter to keep Cleveland alive. Once overtime arrived, the guard delivered a flawless final frame, scoring 13 points on a 4-4 shooting display, including three shots from beyond the arc and two free throws. The performance culminated in a 145-134 victory, cementing one of the most prolific individual scoring nights in recent NBA history.
Maintaining peak physical conditioning and rigorous training schedules remains paramount for professional athletes facing grueling NBA calendars.
While the unconventional preparation yielded an unforgettable statistical milestone, Mitchell noted that he has not repeated the routine since.