Donovan Mitchell Clears Concussion Protocol
Feb 3, 2022, 4:43 PM | Updated: 5:23 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts after a play in Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 26, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell has officially cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol.
On Thursday, the team announced that Mitchell was no longer on the team’s injury report after missing the last eight games with the concussion.
The All-Star guard originally suffered the injury on January 17 after taking a stray elbow from Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook.
Jazz Injury Report (as of 2/3)
OUT – Rudy Gobert
OUT – Danuel House
OUT – Joe Ingles
QUESTIONABLE – Jordan Clarkson
QUESTIONABLE – Hassan Whiteside
*Donovan Mitchell has officially cleared the NBA concussion protocol*
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 3, 2022
The concussion occurred in the second quarter, though Mitchell didn’t begin showing symptoms until after the game. The guard played in both the third and fourth quarters before experiencing symptoms after the loss.
The Jazz have struggled mightily in the guard’s absence winning just two of their last eight games. Mitchell traveled with the team to Memphis and Minnesota in anticipation of returning to the floor as early as last Friday, but concussion symptoms persisted.
This last week Mitchell met with a concussion specialist before being cleared on Thursday.
Jazz Still Not Fully Healthy
Though Mitchell has left the concussion protocol, the Jazz are still far from healthy.
During the guard’s absence, second-unit veteran Joe Ingles suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday night against the Timberwolves.
Shortly before tip-off in Sunday’s game it was announced that guard Danuel House Jr. and head coach Quin Snyder had entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol due to COVID-19.
Jazz injury report:
OUT – Rudy Gobert (Left Calf Strain)
OUT – Danuel House (Health & Safety Protocols)
OUT – Joe Ingles (Left Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear)
QUESTIONABLE – Jordan Clarkson (Right Knee Soreness)
QUESTIONABLE – Hassan Whiteside (Low Back Strain)
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 3, 2022
Additionally, Mitchell’s All-Star teammate Rudy Gobert has missed the team’s last five games with a left calf strain that the center suffered in the team’s loss to the Golden State Warriors on January 23.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Gobert could return early next week.
“Rudy Gobert (calf) remains out,” MacMahon tweeted, “but sources tell ESPN the All-NBA big man hopes to return early next week.”
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and is available for tomorrow’s game vs. Nets, per team. Rudy Gobert (calf) remains out, but sources tell ESPN the All-NBA big man hopes to return early next week.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 3, 2022
The Jazz have not had their full complement of players since their Christmas Day blowout victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Both Jordan Clarkson (right knee soreness) and Hassan Whiteside (low back strain) are listed as questionable.
The Jazz and Nets will tip-off at 7 pm MT and can be heard on The Zone Sports Network. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and FuboTV.
