Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Donovan Mitchell Scores Season High 37 Points on Return as Cleveland Cavaliers Cool Off Atlanta Hawks

Mitchell played his 200th game as a Cavalier.

Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Cavaliers’ star Donovan Mitchell dropped season-high 37 points to guide his side to a 117-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks. With this, Mitchell recorded a successful return to court after missing Friday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors in an NBA Cup group stage game. The six-time All-Star grabbed two rebounds and dished out five assists while shooting 12-of-21 from the field and 8-of-15 from the three-point line.

Spida was out of the home loss to the Raptors with hamstring tightness and was listed as questionable for the Sunday-night fixture. However, he was later upgraded to available before the tip-off. What made the occasion special was that it was Mitchell’s 200th game and 75th 30+ point game as a Cavalier. With him on the floor, the Cavaliers are 139-61. Following the game, he was asked about how he feels as to have played his 200th game as a Cavalier, to which he said that it is an honor, and he is “definitely blessed”.

🏀 SUNDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀

Donovan Mitchell shoots the lights out as the @cavs grab their second home dub of the season!

De'Andre Hunter: 19 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL
Jaylon Tyson: 18 PTS, 5 3PM
Jalen Johnson: 23 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST
Dyson Daniels: 18 PTS, 4 STL https://t.co/coesbdpjde pic.twitter.com/zZWCwwXFVp
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2025

“It’s special. It’s an honor,” Spida said after the game. “Hopefully I get 200 to 300 more…the winning percentage is great but we gotta get it for you guys in April and May so this is all building blocks to get there. I love being here. You guys are incredible. We’re going to do our best to go out there and win for yall every night.”

Donovan Mitchell’s Power-Packed Performance Masks Cavaliers’ Concerns

Donovan Mitchell, who has been averaging 29.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, made a stunning comeback to the court after a one-game absence. The impact of his return was so instant that it steadied the absence of four key players including Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and Max Strus. While the season has just begun and it’s been six-seven games only, it could further add burden on Mitchel’s shoulders.

So far, the 29-year-old has already recorded four 30-point games this season. No doubt, he is being lauded right now, sitting at top of the standings, it also represents a massive burden, raising concerns about sustainability in the long term. Moreover, his hamstring tightness, an issue that kept him out on Friday, also raises concerns about how much load could Spida handle.

In short, Mitchell’s performance cannot go like this for the rest of the season, and the Cavaliers wouldn’t want to rely on him like this.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.