It was only inevitable that the Cleveland Cavaliers, even after racing out to league history’s eighth-best regular-season start, would encounter roadblocks over the 82-game marathon. Until that fateful day came, Donovan Mitchell remained only interested in creatively showcasing some of the detours he’d learned along the way. Slightly off-target during his first attempt from deep, Cleveland’s soon-to-be-named six-time All-Star puts on a show in persistence, timing his rim-running cut with a teammate’s rebound, giving himself a chance at redemption. Masking the intent of his drive flawlessly, Mitchell tests his “Spida senses’ against Julian Phillips’ charge attempt by artfully working a 360-degree, switch-hand layup that floats off-glass and softly through. Mitchell’s action-packed 25-point first half would set the tone for a 36-point eruption by game’s end, alongside eight rebounds, two assists, four steals, seven trifectas, and zero turnovers. In a game that showcased the depths of both Mitchell’s bag and the Cavaliers’ rotation, victory and a 12-0 start weren’t far behind, as Cleveland outgunned the Chicago Bulls on November 11, 2024. · Nov 12, 2024