The NBA playoffs have countless historic performances, and according to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen’s play in win-or-go-home games is up there with the best.
For the Warriors, “Game 6 Klay” is a highly regarded moniker given to Klay Thompson following his 41-point explosion against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals.
Thompson knocked down a then single-game playoff-record 11 3-pointers as he helped lead the Warriors from the brink of elimination and eventually onto the NBA Finals.
While that’s all fine and dandy, Mitchell didn’t hesitate after Cleveland’s 125-94 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday when asked whose performance was better – Thompson’s Game 6 or Allen’s Game 7.
“I mean Game 7 [Jarrett Allen],” Mitchell said. “Come on, he’s two-for-two.”
Allen finished the semifinal series against the Detroit Pistons with 23 points and seven rebounds to help lead the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference finals.
Prior to that, the 28-year-old big man had a 22-point, 19-rebound night in the first round to send the Toronto Raptors home.
That stat line only has been accomplished by six players since 1996, with Allen joining the ranks of Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Dikembe Mutombo.
Two heroic performances, a decade apart. NBA fans will have to wait and see if Allen can have another one of those games – if needed – to help Cleveland move on.