Donovan Mitchell sets NBA record for points in a half in Game 5 vs. Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of their second round series. The victory tied the series up at 2-2 heading back to Detroit for a pivotal Game 5.

Donovan Mitchell led the way in scoring for the Cavs with 43 points with five rebounds and two assists. James Harden added 24 points and 11 assists for Cleveland in the 112-103 victory.

Mitchell scored 39 of his 43 points in the second-half, including a 21-point third quarter. The Cavs star tied the record for points in any half of an NBA playoff game with Eric “Sleepy” Floyd. Donovan Mitchell had two free throws late in the game, but missed the second of the two that would’ve given him the record.

Donovan Mitchell tied the record for points in an NBA playoff half with 39 points. https://t.co/N5q8wkV6KT pic.twitter.com/4G0M0mpeuJ

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 12, 2026

Mitchell’s 39-point second half was also a playoff record for points in a second-half.

Most points in a 2nd half of an NBA playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1997):

39 DONOVAN MITCHELL (TONIGHT)
35 Steve Nash (2005) pic.twitter.com/2lsQPktD2T

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 12, 2026

More to come…

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