Donovan Mitchell Erupts in the Fourth, Lifts Cavs Past Wizards in Gritty Comeback
Down 15 heading into the fourth quarter against a Washington team that’s spent most of the season searching for answers, the Cleveland Cavaliers looked flat. But then Donovan Mitchell happened.
The All-Star guard delivered one of the most explosive quarters we’ve seen all season - pouring in 24 of his 48 points in the final 12 minutes - to spark a furious Cavaliers comeback and secure a 130-126 win on Friday night. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just change the outcome of a game - it shifts the narrative around a season.
Mitchell’s fourth-quarter takeover wasn’t just impressive. It was historic.
No player in the NBA this season has scored more in a single quarter. Not Luka.
Not Steph. Not Giannis.
This was Mitchell at his most electric - fearless, relentless, and completely in control.
After the game, Mitchell summed it up with the kind of clarity and leadership that’s defined his role in Cleveland this season:
*"You’re playing a team that’s 3 and whatever, and you’re down 15, you can kind of tuck your tails and kind of give in, right?
But we found a way." *
That’s been the theme of the Cavaliers’ season so far - finding a way. With injuries sidelining key players, the burden has fallen squarely on Mitchell’s shoulders. And he hasn’t just carried the load - he’s thriving under it.
Through 24 games, Mitchell is putting up career-best numbers across the board:
- 31.3 points per game
- 50.5% shooting from the field
- 39.4% from deep
- Along with 4.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game
That’s not just star production - that’s MVP-level impact.
And December has only turned up the heat. Mitchell is averaging 36.2 points per game this month, playing with a level of urgency and confidence that’s hard to ignore. He’s not just scoring - he’s dictating the tempo, setting the tone, and keeping Cleveland afloat in a crowded Eastern Conference.
Friday night’s win over the Wizards might not look monumental on the schedule - a close game against a team with a losing record. But it’s the kind of gritty, come-from-behind victory that can galvanize a group. And it’s the kind of game MVP voters remember.
Next up: the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 14.
Another opportunity for Mitchell to keep this heater alive - and another chance for the league to take notice. Because right now, Donovan Mitchell isn’t just playing great basketball.
He’s making a statement.