Donovan Mitchell

Down by six with only a minute-and-a-half to play, Donovan Mitchell provided the Brooklyn Nets’ defense with floor seats to his new season’s first exhibit of late-game excellence. With the entire arena fully aware of whom the Cleveland Cavaliers’ final shot attempt would go to, Mitchell uses a teammate’s ghost screen to generate confusion before colliding with a defender, sending him to the ground. Free to hoist with no opposition in sight, the five-time All-Star locates the bottom of the net on a clutch 3-pointer, affording the Cavs both a permanent advantage and ultimately, its first season-opening road win since 2000. Mitchell was in midseason form during the season opener, punishing the Brooklyn Nets to the tune of 27 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals, one block, and four 3-pointers on October 25, 2023.