On Monday, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 win in Game 4 to tie the series against the Detroit Pistons at 2-2. Mitchell had a slow start in the game and only had four points in the first half. However, he changed his approach in the second half and became more aggressive offensively.
Mitchell ended the game with 43 points and five rebounds on 50.0% shooting. He could not be stopped once the third quarter started. Overall, he recorded 39 points in the final two quarters, tying him with former NBA star Eric “Sleepy” Floyd for the most playoff points in any half.
Donovan Mitchell finished with 39 second-half points.
Ties Sleepy Floyd (1987) for the most in any playoff half.
Cavs are now 4-1 in these playoffs when Mitchell goes for 30+. https://t.co/BkRGF1GtTs— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 12, 2026
After the win, Mitchell told NBA on NBC’s Ashley ShahAhmadi that he had to apologize to his teammates. The seven-time All-Star apologized because he was passive on offense.
“I apologized to the group,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell compared how he led the Cavaliers in Game 3, which led to a 116-109 win. The Cavaliers star had 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against the Pistons. He said that he didn’t have the same energy in the first half on Monday. He added that scoring isn’t always the main goal.
“I was able to get into the paint to score. But, trying to just at least create confusion, trying to set the tone early in the offense. I didn’t do that in the first half. So, I came in and told my guys, ‘It’s on me.’ I tried to make a statement in the second half.”
"I tried to make a statement in the 2nd half."
SPIDA DROPPED 43 (39 IN 2H).
CAVS WIN GAME 4.
SERIES TIED AT 2-2 IN THE EAST SEMIS. pic.twitter.com/L9e41ErDxV— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
Mitchell set the standard for the Cavaliers, and the rest of the team followed. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals will be on Wednesday in Detroit.
Donovan Mitchell Responds to Free Throw Disparity
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
One of the biggest things that allowed Mitchell to score 39 points in the second half was his aggression to get downhill. He didn’t have the best shooting performance from the 3-point line, and he opted to generate points from within the arc.
Mitchell aggressively attacked the basket, which created several opportunities for himself and the team. The NBA star had 15 free throw attempts in the game and made 86.7%. He had more attempts than the entire Pistons roster, who went to the charity stripe 12 times. The star addressed the free-throw disparity after the game.
“Every game is different, the biggest thing you can do is control what you can control — and I can control getting downhill and being aggressive,” Mitchell said.
This is the first time that Mitchell shot at least 10 free throws this postseason. Before Game 4, the most attempts he’s had in the line was nine, in Game 2.
Related: Donovan Mitchell Frustrated Over Lack of Calls in Cavaliers-Pistons Game 1