Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell suddenly in even more rare air

Donovan Mitchell is stacking nights that get people’s attention. Wednesday was one of them.

The Cavaliers beat the Sixers 132-121 and moved to 5-3. Mitchell finished with 46 points on 15-of-21 shooting, hit six threes and went 10-of-10 at the line.

That stat line — 45 points on at least 70 percent shooting, eight assists, and 10 made free throws without a miss — has only happened twice in NBA history. Mitchell did it. Michael Jordan did it.

Whenever you do something Jordan did, you are in rare air.

Mitchell is averaging 31.9 points through eight games and shooting almost 58 percent from the field. He looks completely comfortable. He looks in rhythm.

And this is exactly the version of Mitchell that Cleveland needs if the Celtics and Pacers are sliding backward like they clearly seem to be.

There is also pressure here. Mitchell has never been past the second round. The Cavs had the best record in the East last year and still got bounced 4–1 by Indiana. If this group hits the same wall again, there will be noise.

People in NBA circles are already whispering that Cavs exec Koby Altman would have to consider real structural change if this core stalls out again.

But Mitchell is doing his part. He looks like a super-duper superstar. He is putting up efficient monster nights. And when you match a Jordan-only stat line eight games into the season, well, you buy even more credibility and offer more reasons for hope.

The Cavs remain among the East favorites. They may even top that list. Mitchell’s Jordan-esque start is a big reason why.