Overview
- Mitchell said on the "Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady" podcast that he had "a few drinks" on New Year’s Eve before the Jan. 2, 2023 game in Cleveland when he scored 71 points.
- He told hosts that he had never drunk before a game prior to that night and has not done so since, calling the episode a one-time exception.
- In that Jan. 2, 2023 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls, Mitchell scored 71 on 22-of-34 shooting with seven 3-pointers, went 20-of-25 at the line, and added eight rebounds and 11 assists.
- Mitchell suggested the pre-game drinking "probably" helped produce the unusual night but did not claim alcohol directly caused the performance and his comments remain a player-provided explanation.
- Major sports outlets widely reported and reposted the podcast remarks, and the anecdote adds personal context to the game while offering no independent proof and likely prompting fresh discussion about athlete routines and performance factors.