Michael Kaskey-Blomain•Rick Osentoski/Imagn ImagesAdd Sporting News on GoogleCleveland Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 71 points against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023, and he credited a surprising substance for his performance in that game. During a recent appearance on the Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady podcast, Mitchell admitted that he consumed a few drinks the night before the game, and he said that the alcohol may have helped him establish a new career scoring record. “We played them on New Year’s Eve. Then we had New Year’s in Cleveland. Then we played the next day. Now I will say this. I’ve never drank before a game in my life. It was New Year’s," Mitchell said. "So I did have a drink, a few drinks the night before the game. Never done that in my career. Haven’t done it since. So I tell people like that was probably what, you know, allowed me to have the night I had.”Donovan Mitchell on the night he scored 71 on Chicago:“We played them on New Year’s Eve. Then we had New Year’s in Cleveland. Then we played the next day. Now I will say this. I’ve never drank before a game in my life. It was New Year’s. So I did have a drink, a few drinks the… https://t.co/tG0xzFv4Mx pic.twitter.com/lVGYY59Idt— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) September 2, 2026More to come. More NBA news: Kawhi Leonard releases statement following conclusion of NBA's investigation into ClippersSteph Curry sends clear message regarding future with Golden State WarriorsV.J. Edgecombe gets brutally honest about expectations for Philadelphia 76ersJaylen Brown breaks silence on playing with LeBron James on Philadelphia 76ersChet Holmgren gets brutally honest about Thunder's offseason departuresMichael Kaskey-BlomainMichael Kaskey-Blomain is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an experienced sportswriter and media member with over a decade in the industry. He has covered the NBA and NFL for a variety of outlets, including CBS Sports, 247 Sports, FanSided and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Michael grew up just outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Philadelphia.