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SPORTS Wednesday 4 January 2023
Mitchell’s masterpiece: Cavs star scores 71 points in win

By TIM REYNOLDS RJ Barrett and Indiana’s
AP Basketball Writer Tyrese Haliburton did it. A
A towel strewn over his week later, Milwaukee’s
shoulders, still in his uniform Giannis Antetokounmpo,
after the game, Donovan the Los Angeles Lakers’
Mitchell wearily took a seat LeBron James, Chicago’s
and looked at the boxscore Zach LaVine, New Orleans’
that had been placed in CJ McCollum and Golden
front of him. State’s Jordan Poole com-
Someone standing nearby bined to do it again.
asked if he needed any- And then Monday, led by
thing, and Mitchell politely Mitchell and Thompson, it
declined. happened yet again with
“I’m good,” Mitchell said. James, Embiid and Chica-
“I’m as good as can be.” go’s DeMar DeRozan also
As good as he’s ever been scoring at least 40.
in an NBA game, for sure. “I’ll say again: Humbled to
Better, even. Better than be in that company, hum-
most anyone in any game bled to be in this position,”
ever, actually. Mitchell said.
In a season where big There have been 87 games
numbers have become Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine of at least 40 or more points
the norm, Mitchell put up (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cleveland. already this season, by a
the biggest numbers of all Associated Press combined 33 players. Don-
Monday night matching cic has eight such games
the second highest-scoring of his points after halftime. Lakers against Toronto on of the season. of 40 or more, Embiid and
game the NBA has seen in “I’m extremely blessed and Jan. 22, 2006. Before that, Video game numbers are Antetokounmpo each
nearly 45 years. humbled that I’m in that it was 73 points by Da- coming nightly now. Be- have seven, Boston’s Jay-
He finished with 71 points, company, in that group. vid Thompson for Denver fore Dec. 23, there had son Tatum has six.
tying for eighth-most in I’ve always believed I can against Detroit on April 9, only been four days in NBA There were 119 games of
league history, to lead the be one of the best players 1978. history where five players 40 or more in the entirety of
Cleveland Cavaliers past in this league, but I’ve got “To be there in the record scored at least 40 points on the 2021-22 regular season;
the Chicago Bulls 145-134 to keep working. This is a books with them is truly in- the same day. this season isn’t even half
in overtime. big milestone, but at the credible,” Mitchell said. Consider: that’s four days in over yet and players are
The only other players to end of the day, those guys His was the 12th game of 50 76 years. already closing in on that
score at least 71 in a game: have all won at the high- or more points in the NBA so It’s happened three times in total.
Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe est level. That’s my ultimate far this season; later Mon- less than two weeks since. Doncic’s 60-point game,
Bryant, David Thompson, goal.” day, Golden State’s Klay On Dec. 23, five players which he had on Dec. 27,
David Robinson and Elgin The most recent game of Thompson scored 54 in the Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Phila- was the NBA’s season high.
Baylor. more than 71 points was Warriors’ double-overtime delphia’s Joel Embiid, Okla- It didn’t even last a week,
“This is nuts, to be honest,” Bryant’s 81-point master- win over Atlanta becom- homa City’s Shai Gilgeous- not with Mitchell’s gem on
said Mitchell, who had 55 piece for the Los Angeles ing the 13th 50-point game Alexander, New York’s Monday. q

Bills-Bengals won’t resume game this week, Week 18 unchanged

By ROB MAADDI moments on the field be- he remains in the ICU.” game in the top spot while No. 1 seed along with Kan-
AP Pro Football Writer fore he was loaded into Goodell informed the clubs the Bengals (11-4) had a sas City (13-3).
The Bills-Bengals game that an ambulance. Players in his memo that Dr. Nyaka chance to clinch the AFC The Bengals led 7-3 in the
was suspended Monday from both teams were cry- NiiLampti sent each team’s North with a victory and first quarter when the game
night after Buffalo safety ing and praying during an clinician and head of play- also were in the mix for the was stopped.q
Damar Hamlin suffered emotional scene in front of er engagement informa-
cardiac arrest will not be a national television audi- tion about mental health
resumed this week and the ence. and support resources that
Week 18 schedule remains “Damar experienced cardi- are available to players
unchanged, the NFL said ac arrest and was promptly and staff.
Tuesday. resuscitated by on-site club “Additional resources in-
The NFL has made no deci- physicians and indepen- cluding on-site services can
sion regarding the possible dent medical personnel, all be available for any club
resumption of the pivotal of whom are highly trained that wishes this assistance,”
Bills-Bengals game at a lat- in implementing the plans Goodell said.
er date. for medical emergencies,” Goodell told teams they
The 24-year-old Hamlin re- NFL Commissioner Roger would be advised prompt-
mained in critical condi- Goodell said in a letter sent ly of any changes to this
tion on Tuesday after the to all teams that was ob- weekend’s schedule. The
Bills said his heart stopped tained by The Associated outcome of the Bills-Ben-
after making a tackle in Press. “Damar was stabi- gals game has major play- Paycor Stadium sits empty after the NFL postponed the game
the opening quarter of a lized and transported to off implications. following an injury to Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin during the first
game against the Bengals. the University of Cincinnati Both teams are fighting half of an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals
Medical staff restored his Medical Center, a Level for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. and Buffalo Bills, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati.
heartbeat during frantic One trauma center, where The Bills (12-3) entered the Associated Press