Woj: Mitchell Game-Time Decision, Conley Likely To Return

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz may be getting some additional help in the backcourt when they face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Mike Conley is hopeful to return to the lineup while Donovan Mitchell will likely be a game-time decision.

Conley has missed the last five games with after reaggravating his hamstring against the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening round, while Mitchell’s injured ankle continues to worsen as the playoffs progress. Both were listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report last night.

“For the Jazz in Game 6 tonight in LA: Donovan Mitchell (ankle) is progressing to be a game-time decision, and Mike Conley Jr., (hamstring) is working toward a return to the lineup, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted. “Jazz trail Clippers, 3-2, in Western Conference Semifinal series.”

For the Jazz in Game 6 tonight in LA: Donovan Mitchell (ankle) is progressing to be a game-time decision, and Mike Conley Jr., (hamstring) is working toward a return to the lineup, sources tell ESPN. Jazz trail Clippers, 3-2, in Western Conference Semifinal series.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021

Mitchell has been a dominant scorer in the playoffs averaging 31.6 points per outing over the last nine games but was clearly hobbled by his ankle injury in the team’s game five loss in Salt Lake City.

The All-Star guard scored just 21 points, his fewest of the playoffs while connecting on 6-19 shots from the field, his worst efficiency of the postseason.

Conley was one of the Jazz’s best players in their opening-round series against Memphis. The guard averaged 20 points, 10.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 53 percent from the three-point line in the opening-round series.

The Jazz were a perfect 4-0 in the playoffs with both All-Stars starting in the backcourt, but have gone 2-3 since Conley left the lineup, leaving a heavier burden on Mitchell and his injured ankle to make plays for his teammates.

Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley listed as questionable ahead of Friday night's game six between the @utahjazz and @LAClippers. #Takenote https://t.co/sdbj897M2Y

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 18, 2021

“Donovan is obviously playing through a lot of pain,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said before the team left for L.A. “He’s doing everything he can to generate some of those opportunities for us.”

The guard was forced to settle for 14 three-point attempts in game five while getting just three shots in the paint.

The Jazz and Clippers tip-off at 8 pm MT, the game will be broadcast on ESPN.