2025-26 Season
DONOVAN MITCHELL
2025-26 Season
DONOVAN MITCHELL
Mitchell produces at an elite rate for a 34-minute workload.
Mitchell produces at an elite rate for a 34-minute workload.
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 18 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 246 Guards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
An unrelenting offensive hot streak defined Donovan Mitchell’s opening stretch of the 2025-26 campaign. He was simply unguardable on 11/06 vs PHI. Erupting for 46 points on blistering 15-for-21 shooting, he generated a massive +44.4 Impact score. That elite rating stemmed directly from flawless shot selection and punishing the defense with eight assists. Even when his offensive volume plummeted on 11/30 vs BOS, Mitchell managed to scrape together a +7.1 Impact despite finishing with just 18 points. He created that positive non-scoring value by crashing the glass for seven rebounds, distributing eight assists, and digging in with gritty defensive effort. Conversely, a passive approach on 10/29 vs BOS resulted in a -3.5 Impact, as a lack of overall shot volume and a failure to pressure the rim dragged his value into the red. When he plays with ruthless intention, Mitchell remains a terrifying assignment for any backcourt.
Donovan Mitchell spent the middle of the season oscillating between unstoppable offensive inferno and erratic volume shooter. When his jumper was falling, he absolutely torched defenses, peaking on 12/13 vs WAS where he poured in 48 points on 17-of-31 shooting. That relentless barrage generated a massive +37.8 Impact score because his elite shot creation simply overwhelmed Washington's perimeter defenders. Yet Mitchell found ways to contribute even when his touch abandoned him entirely. During a miserable 6-for-24 shooting night on 12/14 vs CHA, he still scraped out a +1.4 Impact score by leaning on gritty hustle plays and active defensive rotations to keep his team afloat. Conversely, racking up peripheral stats didn't automatically guarantee a net positive result. Look at 01/17 vs PHI, where he tallied 12 assists and nine rebounds but still posted a -2.2 Impact score because his 4-of-13 shooting and hidden defensive lapses actively dragged down the unit. This stretch revealed a star who can single-handedly win games on sheer firepower, but still occasionally struggles to manage his shot selection when the offense stalls.
This late-season stretch was defined by relentless offensive creation, though Mitchell’s overall influence occasionally fluctuated based on his defensive engagement. When fully locked in, he was an absolute terror, perfectly illustrated by the 02/04 vs LAC matchup where he racked up 29 points and 9 assists on crisp 10-for-19 shooting. That performance yielded a massive +31.7 Impact score because he paired his scoring gravity with sharp playmaking and active defensive rotations. Even when his jumper completely abandoned him on 03/27 vs MIA, he managed a +1.6 Impact score despite scoring just 6 points on abysmal 1-for-10 shooting. He salvaged his value that night by crashing the glass for 4 rebounds and keeping the ball moving with 6 assists, finding ways to win on the margins without scoring. However, that connective effort vanished during a sluggish outing on 03/31 vs LAL. He posted a -5.0 Impact score in that contest, managing a measly 10 points and failing to generate the necessary hustle plays or defensive resistance to offset his passive offensive approach.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Very consistent. Mitchell posts positive impact in 93% of games — you almost always get a productive night. Scoring varies by ~9 points, but the overall contribution stays positive.
Middle-of-the-road efficiency — shoots 45%+ from the field in 61% of games. Not automatic, but not a problem either.
Defensive difference-maker. Mitchell consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.
Performance has dropped off. First-half impact: +19.3, second-half: +15.7. Worth watching whether it's fatigue, injury, or opponents adjusting.
Hot right now — 15 straight games with positive impact. Longest positive run this season: 25 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY ⚠ Updated 46 days ago
Based on 69 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
83 games played
