Donovan Mitchell Says Ankle Feels Better After Game Two
May 28, 2021, 6:57 PM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) baseball throws the ball across the floor to Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) as the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets play an NBA basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Donovan Mitchell and his injured ankle were nowhere to be found on the Utah Jazz injury report ahead of game three against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The All-Star missed game one of the series after being ruled out shortly before tip-off.
Mitchell returned to the lineup in game two and scored 25 points in 26 minutes while connecting on 5-10 three-point attempts.
Memphis bound 🛫 pic.twitter.com/2BTkzGF2hB
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 28, 2021
After missing six weeks and 17 games with the injury, the guard said his ankle is progressing in a positive direction.
“It’s good,” Mitchell said of his ankle Friday after the team arrived in Memphis. “It’s gotten better since I played, these things can go one of two ways and I feel like it’s going the right way.”
Mitchell was productive in game two despite his minute restriction but did see his impact dip throughout the game. After scoring 12 points in the opening period, Mitchell scored just two points in the second quarter, six points in the third quarter, and five points in the fourth.
After the game, the guard admitted there was a mental huddle he had to get over in his return.
“Jumping off the foot that way for the first time that hard in five weeks, landing and cutting, those things you definitely think about,” Mitchell said. “But once you get through the first two, it’s like alright, good, I trusted I was fine.”
Donovan Mitchell on his ankle:
"I feel like it's going the right way, things are going good, treatments have been great."
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) May 29, 2021
The Jazz have had the advantage of playing just two games since their playoff series opened on Sunday. Mitchell hasn’t faced a quick turnaround allowing his ankle adequate time to rest.
“Things are going good, treatments have been great,” Mitchell said. “I think the biggest thing is just trying to keep going and go from there — not really worry too much about it. I’m good.”
The Jazz and Grizzlies tip off Saturday at 7:30 pm MT on ESPN and AT&T SportsNet.
