Donovan Mitchell added his name to the prestigious list that includes Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Wilt Chamberlain.
The four are the only NBA players with two or more 50-point games in the same postseason.
And Mitchell is just getting started.
Mitchell scored 18 of his 51 points in the final period and the Utah Jazz withstood a 50-point night from Jamal Murray to defeat the Denver Nuggets 129-127 on Sunday and take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series.
Mitchell, 23, made 15 of 27 shots and 17 of 18 free throws. In the first game, he scored 57 points. He is averaging 39.5 points per game in the series.
--| special night from @spidadmitchell ⤵️
51p | 7a | 4 3pm | 4r | 17-18 ft pic.twitter.com/OoNTUBMfMI
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 24, 2020
Currently leading all players in scoring this postseason: @spidadmitchell.
After tonight's 51-point outing, he's averaging 39.5 points per game plus 5.8 assists while shooting 51.4% from three, 56.4% from the field & 95.5% from the line. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/OcflfWbp0o
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) August 24, 2020
Since the resumption of play, Mitchell has been a different player. He attributes it to playing motivated by the criticism against him.
The Jazz can wrap up the series in the fifth game on Tuesday.
Murray, who made a long three-pointer just before the final buzzer, recorded the most points by a Denver player in a postseason game, surpassing the mark of 45 set by Spencer Haywood in an ABA playoff game on April 19, 1970. Murray also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Serbian Nikola Jokic added 29 points, including three dunks. He doesn't usually make them despite measuring 7 feet.
Leading 109-108 with 4:02 remaining, the Jazz quickly advanced when Paul Millsap committed a foul on Mitchell. The referees determined it was an away-from-the-play foul. Mitchell made both free throws, and after he inbounded the ball, Mike Conley made a field goal to extend the lead to five points.
From there, the Jazz simply held on. Rudy Gobert had a great game with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Conley added 26 points in his second game back in the NBA bubble after leaving to attend the birth of his son.
After delivering two blowouts, the score in this game became tight. But once again Utah gained control with a strong offensive output in the third quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 33-24 in the period.
Results from Sunday's first round of playoffs in the NBA:
- Philadelphia 76ers - Boston Celtics 106-110 (Series 0-4)
- Dallas Mavericks - LA Clippers 135-133 in overtime (2-2)
- Brooklyn Nets - Toronto Raptors 122-150 (Series 0-4)
- Utah Jazz - Denver Nuggets 129-127 (Series 3-1)
Monday's first round playoff games in the NBA:
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic (12:30 PM Ecuador time)
- Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (3:00 PM Ecuador time)
- Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat (5:30 PM Ecuador time)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers (8:00 PM)
(D)