History of Donovan Mitchell in Timeline
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.
1981: Darrell Griffith's Team Record
In 1981, Darrell Griffith set the Utah Jazz rookie record for most points in a game with 38, until Donovan Mitchell surpassed him.
1995: Michael Jordan's Number 45
In 1995, Michael Jordan wore number 45 during his baseball career and the early part of his NBA comeback, inspiring Donovan Mitchell to later choose the same number.
September 7, 1996: Donovan Mitchell Jr. Born
On September 7, 1996, Donovan Mitchell Jr. was born. Mitchell would go on to become a professional basketball player.
1996: Allen Iverson's 40-point Games
In the 1996-97 season, Allen Iverson became the last rookie guard to notch two 40-point games until Donovan Mitchell in 2018.
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.
2010: LeBron James' Decision
In 2010, Donovan Mitchell was present at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich (Conn.) when LeBron James announced his decision to sign with the Miami Heat.
2011: Last Rookie Scored 40 Points Before Mitchell
In 2011, Blake Griffin scored 40 points, the last rookie before Donovan Mitchell in 2017.
2015: Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game Invitation
In 2015, Donovan Mitchell was invited to play in the regional game for the Jordan Brand Classic, a recognition of his talent as a basketball player.
2016: Last Cavaliers Multiple 40-Point Scorers
In 2016, the last time the Cavaliers had multiple 40-point scorers was Game 5 of the NBA Finals, when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving both had 41.
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.
December 2017: Western Conference Rookie of the Month
In December 2017, Donovan Mitchell was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
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 4, 2018: Western Conference Rookie of the Month (December 2017)
On January 4, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December 2017 after averaging impressive stats.
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.
March 1, 2018: Western Conference Rookie of the Month (February)
On March 1, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third time that season for his performance in February.
May 22, 2018: NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection
On May 22, 2018, Donovan Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing his outstanding performance during his rookie season.
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.
March 11, 2020: Positive COVID-19 Test and Season Suspension
On March 11, 2020, Donovan Mitchell tested positive for COVID-19, along with teammate Rudy Gobert, leading to the NBA's decision to suspend its season.
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.
February 23, 2021: Second Consecutive All-Star Selection
On February 23, 2021, Donovan Mitchell was chosen as a Western Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, earning his second consecutive All-Star selection.
February 3, 2022: Third Consecutive All-Star Selection
On February 3, 2022, Donovan Mitchell was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, marking his third consecutive All-Star selection.
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.
2023: All-NBA Second Team Selection
In 2023, Donovan Mitchell was named to the All-NBA Second Team, marking a significant achievement in his career.
March 3, 2024: Mitchell Fractures Nose
On March 3, 2024, Donovan Mitchell suffered a fractured nose after being elbowed by teammate Tristan Thompson, leading him to miss a game.
July 7, 2024: Mitchell Signs Contract Extension with Cavaliers
On July 7, 2024, Donovan Mitchell signed a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
January 25, 2025: Mitchell Named All-Star Starter
On January 25, 2025, Donovan Mitchell was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his sixth consecutive selection and his second selection as a starter.
