Record-Tying Mitchell Leads Cavaliers to Series-Evening Rout of Pistons
After a slow start, Mitchell apologized to teammates at halftime and took over, powering Cleveland back from an 0-2 deficit in the series
The series now shifts back to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday with the best-of-seven tied 2-2...
Donovan Mitchell matched an NBA record with a blistering second-half scoring run, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday and tying their Eastern Conference semi-final at 2-2.
Mitchell dropped 39 points after halftime and finished with 43 points, five rebounds, and two assists. James Harden chipped in 24 points as Cleveland leveled the best-of-seven series at Rocket Arena.
It marks the third straight game Mitchell has gone for 30 or more, powering the Cavs back from an 0-2 deficit to even things up.
Final pic.twitter.com/7XLofv76CF
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 12, 2026
His 39-point second half also tied the postseason record for most points in a half, first set by Golden State’s Eric Floyd in 1987.
SPIDA SCORED 39 OF HIS 43 POINTS IN THE 2ND HALF 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
IT'S THE MOST POINTS IN ANY HALF IN A POSTSEASON GAME IN THE PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA!
CAVS WIN GAME 4 TO EVEN THE SERIES AT 2-2 IN THE EAST SEMIS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/0ZUmxWGRQu
Mitchell said he apologized to his teammates at halftime for his quiet start to the game.
“I was trying to set the tone on offense, and I didn't do that in the first half. I came in at half-time and told my guys, 'It's on me',” Mitchell said. “I tried to make a statement in the second half.”
"I tried to make a statement in the 2nd half."
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
SPIDA DROPPED 43 (39 IN 2H).
CAVS WIN GAME 4.
SERIES TIED AT 2-2 IN THE EAST SEMIS. https://t.co/SMG6yBnwc0 pic.twitter.com/L9e41ErDxV
Detroit looked poised to go up 3-1 early, taking a 56-52 lead into halftime.
That changed fast when seven-time All-Star Mitchell went off in the third. He poured in 21 points in the quarter as Cleveland ripped off a 25-0 run, flipping the game and jumping ahead 75-58. That burst ended up being the difference.
Mitchell stayed hot in the fourth, adding 18 more while the Pistons couldn’t find an answer. Cade Cunningham managed just seven points in the second half after being held quiet in the third and fourth.
Cunningham, an MVP candidate, finished with 19 points. Caris LeVert led Detroit with 24 off the bench.
Game 5 shifts back to Detroit on Wednesday.
“They protected their home court and we did the same thing, so now we've got to go and get one,” Mitchell said. “We've got to go and bring the same energy and intensity.”
Final pic.twitter.com/7XLofv76CF
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 12, 2026
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