Donovan Mitchell tied an NBA playoff record as the Cavaliers defeated the Pistons, leveling the Eastern Conference Semifinals at 2-2. The win came during a standout performance in Game 4 of the 2026 playoffs.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Q&A
What NBA playoff record did Donovan Mitchell tie?
Donovan Mitchell tied an NBA playoff record during Game 4 of the 2026 playoffs.
How did the Cavaliers perform in Game 4 against the Pistons?
The Cavaliers won Game 4 against the Pistons, evening the series at 2-2.
What is the current status of the Cavaliers vs Pistons series?
The Cavaliers and Pistons series is currently tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
When did the Cavaliers play Game 4 against the Pistons?
The Cavaliers played Game 4 against the Pistons on May 11, 2026.
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May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
1 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
2 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
3 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
4 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
After a dreadful first half in which he missed his first six shots and scored only four points, Mitchell took over the game the moment he stepped onto the floor after halftime, pouring in 39 points in the second half and spurring a wild 22-0 run to open the third quarter — he was responsible 15 of the points during that stretch — that just about tied the series right then and there.
The 39-point half tied an NBA postseason record, set by Eric "Sleepy" Floyd in the 1987 playoffs. The type of scoring explosion Mitchell put on display to ensure the Cavs tied the series 2-2 hadn't been done in nearly 40 years.
"Everything. This is the easy answer," said center Jarrett Allen when asked about what Mitchell meant to the Cavs in Game 4. "He gave us everything on the offensive end and even on the defensive end. … He was giving us every single effort that he had."
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates making a 3-pointer against the Detroit Pistons during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates making a 3-pointer against the Detroit Pistons during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell playoff stats
But what made Mitchell's night so remarkable wasn't just the historic stretch late in the game. It was the contrast between how out of rhythm he looked in the first half compared to a second half in which he was almost unstoppable.
Game 4 might have included Mitchell's worst playoff half in recent memory followed immediately by his best, with only a 15-minute halftime break separating them.
"The thing I noticed the most was he was definitely not in rhythm, it was a little bit different than I've seen, you know, just not in rhythm," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "The mental fortitude … like to turn, turn that around like he did — it's pretty impressive.
"Not sure in the playoffs have [we] seen a turnaround like that where a guy is struggling and just absolutely turns the switch."
Having not only the mental toughness, but the patience, to work through such a poor half to then be in a position to take over the game in the third and fourth quarters is something Mitchell feels he had to learn throughout his career.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert defends during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert defends during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Had this been his rookie season, he said he's not sure the night would have gone so well. It might have spiraled the other direction, in which case the Cavs might be staring at a 3-1 series deficit on Game 5 being in Detroit.
"I can't say I came into the league with that," Mitchell said when asked about staying so even-keeled through slumps. "You develop that over time. You develop that over wins, losses, and you play so many games."
Mitchell also noted that guard James Harden, forward Evan Mobley and others never wavered in their insistence that he keep being himself.
"They're not really tripping on the fact that I started out one-of-whatever," Mitchell said." That's what also helps. You have the mental fortitude yourself, but then you have a group that … supports you verbally. … That speaks to the group."
Even though Mitchell's night was outstanding by every offensive metric, he did only make one of two free throws in the final minute when both would have given him 40 points in the second half, along with the NBA playoff record.
"Everybody let me know that I missed the free throw to break the record, though," Mitchell said, smiling, after hearing about it from teammates. "But again, we're 2-2 headed to Detroit. That was what we came home to do, and that's all that matters."
