Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell Held To Season-Low 20 Points Vs. Thunder

Cleveland's starting shooting guard shot just 11.1% from three-point range and a season-worst 34.8% from the field in the Cavaliers' 128-120 defeat.

The first time the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, Donovan Mitchell scored a season high 43 points.

However, the second regular season matchup between these two teams proved to be much different for Cleveland’s starting shooting guard.

Entering the game, Mitchell was tied for the NBA’s scoring lead at 32.5 points per game and shooting over 40% from three-point range.

But last night, the Thunder defense held him to a season-low 20 points, as the Cavaliers fell by a final score of 128-120, getting swept in the season series. Mitchell also shot just 11.1% (1-for-9) from three-point range, and a season-worst 34.8% (8-for-23) from the field.

Nov 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 128-120 / © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The 27-year-old’s 20 points were his fewest in a regular season game since March 17th, when he also scored 20 points in a 117-94 win over the Washington Wizards.

Despite being held well below his season scoring average, Mitchell did play a disciplined game last night.

In a contest where the Cavaliers committed a season-high 20 turnovers as a team, he did not have any miscues for the second time this season. This was Mitchell’s eighth regular season game with Cleveland in which he did not give the ball away. 

Although Mitchell struggled offensively, he tied a defensive team-high with two steals and recorded the second-highest plus/minus (+2) on the team. Evan Mobley (+3) was the only other Cavalier with a positive plus/minus in the game.

Cleveland looks to complete a series sweep of the Golden State Warriors in the second leg of their four-game road trip on Saturday night.