When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Donovan Mitchell in the offseason, New York Knicks fans were not happy. Mitchell getting traded to New York seemed like a perfect match. Sunday marked the first game between the Cavaliers and Knicks since Mitchell was traded to Cleveland. And if New York’s fans were upset when the Knicks didn’t trade for Mitchell, Sunday’s game did nothing to improve their mood.
The Cavaliers outscored the Knicks 35-17 in the fourth quarter en route to a 121-108 win. Mitchell was the star. Not only did he lead all scorers, but his 38 points were more than the 32 that New York’s top two scorers — Jalen Brunson and Evan Fournier — combined to score. Mitchell’s shooting was on point. He was 12-for-20 from the field and 8-for-13 on threes. He added 12 assists for good measure.
Donovan Mitchell vs the Knicks:
38 PTS
12 AST
8-13 3PNo other Cav in history has ever matched or topped those numbers. pic.twitter.com/hxGUuLhxz9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 31, 2022
During and after the game, NBA fans on Twitter couldn’t help but point out how the Knicks were being scorched by Mitchell.
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell showing the Knicks what they could've — and probably should've — had.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) October 30, 2022
Donovan Mitchell it was nothing personal why our beloved Knicks didnt trade for you please stop.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 31, 2022
Knicks fans talked themselves out of a Donovan Mitchell trade that included RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, two unprotected first-round picks, and a couple of protected picks and pick swaps. Hope they enjoyed 38/12 on 12/20 from the field https://t.co/plovrn348f
— Anthony Lima (@SportsBoyTony) October 31, 2022
Donovan Mitchell putting on an absolute show. 15 points and 5 assists. Seems a bit fired up to face the #knicks
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 30, 2022
Donovan Mitchell woke up one day thinking he was about to get traded to the Knicks and wound up a Cleveland Cavalier by the time he went to bed. Gotta love it.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 31, 2022
Knicks fans watching Donovan Mitchell cook their squad pic.twitter.com/4O5oO2xjWp
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) October 31, 2022
Mitchell has scored at least 31 points in five of those six games. He’s averaging 32.2 points per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 45.5% on threes. Given those numbers and that the Cavaliers are 5-1, we can safely assume that Cleveland and its fans are happy with the way the Mitchell trade has worked out. For New York’s fans, it’s a different story.
