Mitchell Ignores Gimpy Knee to Score 30 Points in Spurs’ Win Over the Nets

Mike Mitchell, playing despite an injured left knee, scored 30 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-104 victory over the New Jersey Nets in the only NBA game scheduled Monday night.

Mitchell, who was not expected to play, had 18 points in the first half and scored six of the first eight Spur points in the fourth quarter as San Antonio won its third straight game.

The Spurs’ 6-foot 7-inch leading scorer also had a fine defensive showing, holding the Nets’ Mike O’Koren and Albert King to a combined 15 points.

Otis Birdsong paced New Jersey with 27 points. King led the Nets in the fourth quarter with 10 points and finished with 14.

Kelvin Ransey pulled the Nets within four points, 81-77, on the first shot of the final quarter, the closest New Jersey got after trailing, 54-47, at halftime.

Mitchell then sandwiched two layups and a hook around a basket by Steve Johnson as San Antonio went on a 15-7 rally to take a 96-83 lead with six minutes left.

Artis Gilmore, playing 42 minutes, had a game-high 11 rebounds and 14 points. The Nets’ Buck Williams, Michael Ray Richardson and Mickey Johnson fouled out in the fourth quarter.