Donovan Mitchell shows support for Damar Hamlin: "Prayers up for the Bills' safety, man... Kevin Love actually hit me on"
Donovan Mitchell exploded for 71 points on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. After the game, Mitchell showed support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who collapsed during their game in Cincinnati.
Mitchell helped the Cleveland Cavaliers earn an overtime win over the Bulls with a legendary performance. He had 71 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists. He also became the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points.
Before ending his postgame interview, Mitchell sent love and prayers on behalf of the entire Cavaliers organization to Hamlin. The Bills' safety was in critical condition after collapsing in the first quarter.
"Prayers up for the Bills safety," Mitchell said. "I've heard about it, but I haven't seen it. I wish him and his family, we're praying for him, all of us from the locker room. Kevin Love actually hit me on. From the Cavaliers organization, we wish the best and praying that everything goes well."
Donovan Mitchell took time to show support for Bills DB Damar Hamlin after scoring a Cavs-record 71 points ❤️ https://t.co/BNXzMkDhlc
Damar Hamlin collapsed in Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Medical personnel administered CPR for a few minutes before Hamlin was transported to the hospital. The game was suspended around 10 pm ET but was later postponed by the NFL.
Hamlin's marketing representative Jordon Rooney later revealed that the 24-year-old safety's vitals are back to normal. However, Hamlin had to be put to sleep and got intubated. He's also set to undergo more tests and hopefully, he makes a full recovery.
Damar Hamlin's latest injury update: Bills star's manager provides positive news after safety was taken to hospital
Donovan Mitchell scores 71 points in overtime win
Donovan Mitchell had one of the greatest performances in NBA history on Monday night. Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a furious comeback win over the Chicago Bulls inside the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
"Spida" finished the game with 71 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists. He went 22-for-34 from the field, 20-for-25 from the free throw line, and hit seven 3-point shots. The Cavaliers were down for most of the game before Mitchell hit a ridiculous game-tying shot after missing a free throw.
The Chicago Bulls were up big in the first half before Donovan Mitchell carved the lead in the third quarter. It was a close game in the fourth quarter, with Mitchell taking more control in overtime by scoring 13 of the Cavaliers' 15 points.
Mitchell is just the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in an NBA game. The first six players were Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, David Robinson, Kobe Bryant, and Devin Booker.
The 71 points is also the new Cavaliers franchise record for most points scored by a player in a single game. The previous holders were LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, who both scored 57 points in 2017 and 2015, respectively.
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