Donovan Mitchell scores Cavs' franchise-record, career-best 71 points in OT win

San Francisco, United States: Already an All-Star, Donovan Mitchell added his name to one of the NBA’s most rarefied lists Monday night.

Mitchell set a Cleveland record with 71 points, the most by an NBA player in 17 years,

and the Cavaliers rallied from 21 down to beat the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime on Monday night.

Mitchell’s total matched the eighth highest in league history since Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had 81 points against Toronto on 22 January 2006

Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA record with 100 for Philadelphia against New York on 2 March 1962 at Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“To be there in the record book with guys like Wilt is truly humbling,” said Mitchell, who was acquired from Utah in the offseason

“I always believed I could be one of the best players in the league. I’m speechless and blessed to be in the company of that greatness.”

As the final seconds of OT ticked off the clock, Mitchell waved his arm for the Cleveland crowd,

which has embraced him in his short time with the Cavs, to make more noise and then soaked in their applause.

Mitchell scored 13 points in the extra session after forcing OT by grabbing his own intentionally missed free throw and making a circus-shot with 3

0 seconds left, tying the game at 130-all and breaking the Cleveland record with 58 points.

In OT, Mitchell became the seventh player in the 70-point club.