Donovan Mitchell Makes 'Statement' with Historic 2nd-Half, Apologized to Cavs Teammates At Halftime

Donovan Mitchell tied an NBA record with 39 points in the first half of Monday 112-104 win over the Detroit Pistons, but it came after the Cleveland Cavaliers' star managed just four points in the first half.

It also came after he addressed his teammates in the locker room at halftime.

"I apologized to the group," he said following the series-evening win. "I set the tone in Game 3, getting downhill in transition, and I don't think I did that one time in the first half. And for me, that's the catalyst. It's not always just the scoring, right? Like I was able to get into the paint and score. Trying to just at least create confusion, trying to set the tone early in the offense. I didn't do that in the first half. I came in and told my guys, 'It's on me.' And I tried to make a statement in the second half."

The Cavaliers will now head back to Detroit on Wednesday night (ESPN) for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the two teams tied 2-2. Without Mitchell's incredible second half, the Cavaliers very possibly could have been staring down a 3-1 deficit.