Mitchell's 51 beats Nuggets, ties playoff mark set by MJ, AI
Donovan Mitchell continued his playoff scoring tear by posting 51 points as the Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-127 in Game 4 to go up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Mitchell connected on 15-of-27 field goals and 17-of-18 free throws in the win. His 39.5 points per game lead all scorers in the NBA bubble.
The performance marked Mitchell's second 50-point outing of the series after he finished with 57 points in Game 1. He joins Michael Jordan (1988) and Allen Iverson (2001) as the only players in NBA history to register multiple 50-point games in a single playoff series.
"They won. I haven't done anything yet to be honest with you. All we did was win Game 4. 50 is 50, but we're looking to close the series out," Mitchell said postgame after learning of the exclusive company he joined. "I'm honored to be in that category, don't get me wrong, and I'm very humbled and blessed."
Jamal Murray heated up in the second half to finish with 50 points on 18-of-31 shooting for Denver. The Canadian's massive scoring night marked the highest total in Nuggets' playoff history.
Mitchell and Murray became the first pair of opponents to each score at least 50 points in a playoff game.
The Jazz shot 57.5% from the field, including an impressive 48.3% from long-range. Rudy Gobert chipped in with a 17 point, 11 rebound double-double, while Mike Conley netted 26 points in the victory.
On the flip side, Denver converted 49% of its field-goal attempts. Nuggets All-Star big man Nikola Jokic tallied 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the losing cause.
Game 5 of the series is Tuesday.