Donovan Mitchell Available For Jazz In Game Two
May 24, 2021, 2:17 PM | Updated: 3:02 pm
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz announced that guard Donovan Mitchell will be available to play in game two of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies.
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Game two will mark the first time in over a month that Mitchell will suit up for the Jazz after missing the last 17 games with a severe ankle sprain. The All-Star guard was cleared to play on Saturday night before Sunday’s game one against the Grizzlies but was scratched from the lineup just hours before tip-off.
After news broke that Mitchell was frustrated with being pulled from the lineup shortly before the Jazz loss, the guard addressed the issues after practice on Monday.
“It’s no secret what happened,” Mitchell said. “For me and my team, I was definitely frustrated and upset that I wasn’t able to play. I’m a competitor. I felt I was ready to go.”
Donovan Mitchell will be available for the @utahjazz in game two.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) May 24, 2021
Mitchell spoke to the media Sunday morning after shootaround and said he was pain-free before learning that the Jazz training staff wanted to hold him out of the game. The guard had to undergo a series of tests before being cleared but didn’t receive the green light.
“There’s a bunch of different things, nothing that looked alarming,” Mitchell said. “I will say that I’m not dragging my right foot along, but it was just a bunch of things that they didn’t feel I was ready to go.”
The guard attended the Jazz game one loss to Memphis and was an active participant on the sideline, though he couldn’t suit up.
“Donovan always wants to be on the floor, he’s competitive,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “And that’s something that he’s looking forward to.”
Sorry y’all… I wish I could say more…. I’ll be out there soon !❤️🙏🏾
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 24, 2021
In light of Sunday’s events, Mitchell addressed his team directly to quash any rumored fallout from the game one scratch.
“I talked to my teammates and said ‘Look we’re in here together.'” Mitchell told the Jazz roster. “I don’t know if I should have shared that but that’s what it is, we’re here together.”
Asked if there was any chance Sunday’s events could repeat themselves ahead of game two, Mitchell had a clear response.
“No.”
Game two will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m. MT, the game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet and TNT.
