Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, and Boston’s Jayson Tatum have consistently driven their teams forward this NBA season. Heading into their respective Game 2 matchups in the playoffs on Wednesday night, their performances are under the spotlight.
Donovan Mitchell showcased his scoring prowess with 30 points in the Cavaliers’ 121-100 triumph over the Miami Heat on Sunday. This marked the 26th time in 55 playoff appearances that Mitchell has reached or surpassed the 30-point threshold. His 28.1 points per game in the playoffs place him seventh all-time among players with at least 50 postseason games, demonstrating his consistent impact on the court. Over the past seven playoff games, he’s averaging 34.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. While Mitchell is renowned for his scoring ability, he aims to highlight his defensive skills in the series against Miami. “Obviously, the 30 is cool, that’s what I’m known for, but I think for me it’s just steals, being in the passing lanes, getting on the boards, boxing out, diving on loose balls, different things like that. That’s really what’s going to continue to take us to that next level,” he stated.
Stephen Curry is poised to etch his name in NBA history as he inches closer to becoming the 11th player to score 4,000 points in the playoffs. The star guard spearheaded the Warriors to a 95-85 victory over the Houston Rockets with 31 points, including memorable off-balance three-pointers in the second half. As the Warriors, a seasoned team in playoff scenarios, aim to take a two-game lead over Houston, they are leaning on their veteran experience. “I think the only real advantage is you don’t get rattled if there are runs. The composure matters because then you can make plays down the stretch,” Curry remarked. He is just 49 points shy of surpassing Tony Parker for 10th place in career playoff scoring.
Jayson Tatum, who has scored 2,728 career playoff points—the seventh-most by any player in NBA history before turning 28—is currently doubtful for the Celtics’ game against the Orlando Magic. He suffered a bone bruise in his right wrist after a hard fall during a dunk attempt in Boston’s 103-86 win on Sunday. Coach Joe Mazzulla noted that Tatum practiced sparingly and remains day-to-day. Celtics veteran Al Horford called the play that caused Tatum’s injury excessive. “There was something extra there,” Horford commented on the incident.
Looking at the games ahead, the Celtics take a 1-0 lead into their matchup against the Magic, projecting as 12.5-point favorites. Despite trailing at halftime in Game 1, a dominant third quarter powered by Derrick White’s 30 points and Payton Pritchard’s 19 from the bench sealed the victory. On the other hand, the Cavaliers also lead their series 1-0 as they prepare to face the Heat again. Standout performances from Mitchell, Ty Jerome, and Darius Garland in Game 1 set a high bar, but they anticipate another tight battle between Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley. Meanwhile, the Warriors are looking to build on their initial win against the Rockets, with coach Steve Kerr poised to climb higher in the rankings for all-time playoff victories.
These dramatic storylines unfold as NBA fans anticipate the outcomes of these crucial Game 2 encounters on Wednesday night.