Cavs Win Game 7 vs. Magic as Donovan Mitchell Outduels Paolo Banchero, Wows NBA Fans

Doric SamMay 5, 2024

Jason Miller/Getty Images

After trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back to defeat the Orlando Magic 106-94 in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.

Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell put on a show for the home fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and spearheaded the victory for Cleveland, putting the team on his back with 39 points, 24 of which came in the second half. No other player on the team scored more than 15 points. Mitchell added nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in the win.

The Cavs needed Mitchell to be at his best to stave off a strong performance by Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who led Orlando with 38 points and 16 rebounds. The second-year star got off to a hot start with 24 points in the first half, but Cleveland stepped up its defensive effort on him over the final two quarters.

Fans on social media were delighted by the duel between Mitchell and Banchero, but it was Mitchell who earned a massive amount of praise for leading the Cavs to their first playoff series win since 2018:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportCAVS WIN GAME 7. ELIMINATE MAGIC FROM PLAYOFFS 🚨😱 pic.twitter.com/f2pNMAzIuU

Ben Axelrod @BenAxelrodI’ll stand by Donovan Mitchell as the second best player in Cavs history.

Hoop Central @TheHoopCentralDonovan Mitchell’s last 2 games:

50 PTS – 4 REB – 4 AST
39 PTS – 9 REB – 5 AST pic.twitter.com/lU7dLM5b2g

McNeil @Reflog_18Donovan Mitchell making history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/whrj6BTmwY

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportSpida has almost HALF of Cleveland’s points by himself 💪

Donovan Mitchell: 32 PTS
Rest of Cavs team: 36 PTS

Leaving it all out there. pic.twitter.com/Pc95IbINkp

Ball Don’t Stop @balldontstopDonovan Mitchell is the strongest guard in the NBA. This is why the weight room and strength training is crucial because in the playoffs you have to be able to handle restriction and physicality. He has the skill to match too. pic.twitter.com/n7uvBrFWp7

Dad @BxtchImWooDonovan Mitchell & Paolo Banchero after this game 7 pic.twitter.com/PeJyLP8u5G

kayla @_kaylacollins_It’s really Mitchell vs Banchero rn

JohnnyOhio 🏀⚾️ @JohnnyOhioBanchero vs Mitchell

That’s what this game is.

ANY help and Cavs win easily

Patty Vega @VEGALLIANCEI swear I’ve only seen Mitchell & Banchero score lol. No one else

Mitchell’s stellar game came after he scored 50 points in a Game 6 loss to Orlando. He was clearly motivated to help Cleveland avoid another early playoff exit, and he will need to maintain that level of intensity as the postseason continues.

The Cavs will now move on to face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the second round starting on Tuesday, which won’t be an easy matchup following their tough seven-game battle with the Magic. However, if Mitchell keeps playing this way, Cleveland could pull off a shocking upset.