Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donovan Mitchell
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Donovan Mitchell made an impact.
Donovan Mitchell, nicknamed "Spida", is a professional American basketball player currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drafted into the NBA in 2017, he initially played for the Utah Jazz from 2017 to 2022. Mitchell is a six-time NBA All-Star. In 2023, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team, cementing his place as one of the league's premier talents.
1980: Highest Scoring Output by a Rookie in a Series-Clinching Win Since 1980
Since 1980, Donovan Mitchell holds the record for the highest scoring output by a rookie in a series-clinching win, with 38 points in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
1997: First time Since 1997-98 Jazz Finished with NBA's Top Seed
In 2021, the Utah Jazz finished with the NBA's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the entire postseason for the first time since 1997–98.
1997: First Cavaliers Post-Season Without Lebron Since 1997-98
Since 1997, the 2022-2023 post-season was the first for the Cleveland Cavaliers without Lebron James.
July 5, 2017: Signed Rookie Contract with the Jazz
On July 5, 2017, Donovan Mitchell officially signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Utah Jazz, solidifying his entry into the NBA.
July 11, 2017: Signed Shoe Deal and Summer League Performance
On July 11, 2017, Donovan Mitchell signed a multi-year shoe deal with Adidas. Later that day, he scored 37 points in the NBA Summer League, setting a high mark for the event.
October 18, 2017: NBA Debut
On October 18, 2017, Donovan Mitchell made his NBA debut, scoring 10 points with four assists against the Denver Nuggets.
December 1, 2017: Career High 41 Points
On December 1, 2017, Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 41 points, setting a Jazz rookie scoring record and becoming the first NBA rookie to score 40 points since Blake Griffin in 2011.
2017: Declared for the 2017 NBA Draft
In 2017, Donovan Mitchell declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore season, marking a pivotal step towards his professional career.
2017: All-Conference Honors & NBA All-Rookie First Team
In 2017, Donovan Mitchell earned first-team all-conference honors in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while playing college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a rookie with the Utah Jazz.
January 15, 2018: Surpassed Karl Malone's Record
On January 15, 2018, Donovan Mitchell surpassed Karl Malone's franchise record for most 20+ points games during a rookie season with his 19th such game.
February 2, 2018: Second 40-Point Game
On February 2, 2018, Donovan Mitchell recorded his second 40-point game of his rookie season against the Phoenix Suns.
February 5, 2018: Slam Dunk Contest Win
On February 5, 2018, Donovan Mitchell participated in the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest as an injury replacement and won, marking a significant achievement.
October 24, 2018: Season-High 38 Points
On October 24, 2018, Donovan Mitchell achieved a season-high of 38 points in a victory against the Houston Rockets.
2018: Slam Dunk Contest Win
In 2018, as a rookie, Donovan Mitchell won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, showcasing his athletic abilities.
January 25, 2019: First Double-Double of the Season
On January 25, 2019, Donovan Mitchell recorded his first and only double-double of the season, contributing 24 points and 11 assists in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
October 23, 2019: Season Opener: 32 Points and 12 Assists
On October 23, 2019, Donovan Mitchell began the 2019-20 season with a strong performance, scoring 32 points and providing 12 assists in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
January 16, 2020: Tied Career-High 46 Points
On January 16, 2020, Donovan Mitchell matched his career-high by scoring 46 points in an overtime loss against the New Orleans Pelicans.
August 17, 2020: 57 Points in Playoff Game
On August 17, 2020, Donovan Mitchell scored 57 points in a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets, marking the third-highest scoring performance in NBA playoff history.
2020: Signed Rookie Extension with the Jazz
In 2020, Donovan Mitchell signed a lucrative five-year rookie extension with the Utah Jazz, guaranteeing him at least $163 million.
September 1, 2022: Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers
On September 1, 2022, Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.
2022: Trade to the Cavaliers
In 2022, Donovan Mitchell was traded from the Jazz to the Cavaliers, leading Cleveland to the post-season for the first time since the 2017-18 season and the first without Lebron James since 1997-98.
2022: End of Jazz Tenure
In 2022, Donovan Mitchell's time with the Utah Jazz ended.
January 2, 2023: Mitchell Scores 71 Points
On January 2, 2023, Donovan Mitchell achieved an NBA season-high, career-high, and Cavaliers-record 71 points in a 145–134 overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls. He also had eight rebounds and 11 assists, making him the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a game, and the first to do so with at least 10 assists.
July 7, 2024: Mitchell Signs Contract Extension with Cavaliers
On July 7, 2024, Donovan Mitchell signed a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
