The Cleveland Cavaliers needed this version of Donovan Mitchell to show up.
The Cavs were without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter on Tuesday night due to injury. The Indiana Pacers had already taken Game 1 of the conference semifinal series on Sunday.
It wasn't going to be only about Mitchell, of course, but this was officially his show.
And in a standout first half, Mitchell threw down the dunk of his career.
Gliding down the lane late in the half, Mitchell saw Pascal Siakim waiting near the rim.
No problem. He cocked it back in his right hand and tomahawked it home.
DONOVAN MITCHELL OMG!!!!! 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/kmPfXgVG9e
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2025
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Mitchell concluded the first half with 21 points, including nine in a row punctuated by the dunk, as Cleveland took a 61-50 lead to the intermission.
He was 8-of-18 from the floor and also dished out five assists in the first half.
The Cavs would likely want the same in the second half.
And Mitchell's intensity level is certainly there. The giant dunk proves it.
MORE: Check out the highest-scoring games of Donovan Mitchell's career