Overview
- Mitchell’s 71-point, 8-rebound, 11-assist game came in a 145-134 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023, and included 22-of-34 shooting with seven three-pointers and 20-of-25 free throws.
- He disclosed the detail during an appearance on the Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady podcast, saying he had “a few drinks” the night before because it was New Year’s.
- Mitchell emphasized this was an exception, saying he had never drunk before a game in his career prior to that night and has not done so since.
- He suggested the alcohol "probably...allowed me to have the night I had," while stopping short of claiming it directly caused the performance.
- Reporters and analysts have treated the remark as an intriguing personal detail rather than proof of causation and note the Cavs’ later roster and usage changes make a repeat of that exact scoring outburst unlikely.