After torching the LA Clippers in Game 1, Donovan Mitchell had NBA Twitter buzzing with his start in Game 2.
In the second half of Game 1, Donovan Mitchell absolutely lit the LA Clippers up. While his Utah Jazz trailed by 13 points at halftime, with Mitchell only scoring 13 points in the first two quarters, he was sensational after the break, dropping 32 second-half points en route to a big win at home.
If Game 2 is an indication, Mitchell has not cooled off since the series opener, and the Clippers could be in big trouble with this matchup if something doesn’t change soon.
In the first half on Thursday, Spida ran roughshod over a helpless LA defense, racking up 27 first-half points with ease. He was on fire right out of the gate, and he helped give Utah a 13-point lead by halftime.
So of course NBA Twitter was buzzing about such a scintillating performance.
Donovan Mitchell was the big story early in Game 2
As we mentioned, it really didn’t take Mitchell long to get cooking, and he made some franchise history in the process:
Donovan Mitchell needed 3 minutes and 14 seconds to reach 10 points, the fastest to double figures by a Jazz player in a playoff game over the last 25 seasons. pic.twitter.com/XUHqhRaZxW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2021
Right before the half, he buried the closest thing to a second-quarter dagger we’ve seen in a long time:
DONOVAN. MITCHELL. pic.twitter.com/tLPFLMPFUL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2021
Taking a look at what Mitchell’s done in the last four quarters of this series, the numbers are truly staggering:
Donovan Mitchell has 59 points on 22-32 FG in the last four quarters. Clippers have no answers for him.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 11, 2021
Over his last four quarters vs. the Clippers, Donovan Mitchell has:
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) June 11, 2021
59 points on 84.1% True Shooting
When you compare those numbers to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, it’s dumbfounding how he’s been head and shoulders above his superstar brethren as the best player in this series.
Donovan Mitchell, G1: 45 points
— Justin Phan (@jphanned) June 11, 2021
Kawhi + George, G1: 43 points
Donovan Mitchell, first half: 27 points
Kawhi + George, first half: 23 points
points scored this series, through 1.5 games:
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 11, 2021
Donovan Mitchell: 72
Kawhi + Paul George: 66
Mitchell had several prominent basketball figures stumped.
There are no words for what Donovan Mitchell is doing right now.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 11, 2021
Donovan Mitchell looking at the Clippers! God Bless America. pic.twitter.com/9FgUhomjpB
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 11, 2021
Gonna state the obvious here: Donovan Mitchell had a very good first half
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 11, 2021
Others simply marveled at his ability to elevate his game and make the Clippers look foolish:
Some players are built for the lights and the pressure, raising their game when it matters most. It's unteachable elite mentality. Donovan Mitchell has it.
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) June 11, 2021
Zubac when he gets switched on to Donovan Mitchell https://t.co/iZv4EG2qY7
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) June 11, 2021
[Donovan Mitchell scores 83rd point of quarter]
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 11, 2021
CLIPPERS: "Coach, should we put Kawhi on him?"
TY LUE: "Let's wait and see."
What Mitchell is doing early in this second-round series is truly remarkable, and it’s no wonder NBA Twitter was in shock over what he was doing. If the Clippers can’t find a way to slow him down, this highly anticipated matchup could be over much sooner than expected.