Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell has stated that he consumed alcohol prior to his career-high 71-point performance against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023. Mitchell made the revelation on the "Cousins" podcast, hosted by NBA veterans Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
Mitchell explained that the Cavaliers played the Bulls on New Year's Eve, followed by a game on New Year's Day. He recalled having "a drink — a few drinks — the night before the game" in observance of the holiday. He clarified that he had "never drank before a game in my life" and has not done so since that specific game. Mitchell suggested that this decision may have contributed to his historic scoring night.
The game, which went into overtime, saw the Cavaliers defeat the Bulls 145-134, with Mitchell's 71 points setting a new career high. The anecdote has drawn parallels to other sports where alcohol is sometimes believed to enhance performance, such as golf, bowling, or darts.