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Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell groaned in pain at Vivent Arena 12 seconds before game two Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers, reaching for a right ankle that sprained several weeks ago.
Mitchell got up several seconds later, made his free throws and finished off the 117-111 win that gave the top-seeded Jazz a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semi-final series. He got off the ground after the win, but Mitchell insisted his health meant no worries as the series headed to Los Angeles.
“I got injured and hurt, but I’m fine now,” Mitchell said after his 37-point performance. “I got in here. If you want me to run for you, I can. I’m good. You know, it happens… Thankfully, it wasn’t bad. Go ahead and get ready for match three.”
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Mitchell, who was a late scratcher in the post-season opener for Utah with an ankle sprain that kept him sidelined in the last 16 games of the regular season, has been one of the most dominant forces in the playoffs to date.
The Jazz is 6-0 with Mitchell in the starting lineup this post-season, and he’s averaging 32.7 points per game, putting him in the elite company of history. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the only players to have higher scoring rates while winning their first six post-season games are Kobe Bryant in 2008 (34.3) and LeBron James in 2017 (34.2).
Mitchell was particularly prolific against the Clippers, averaging 41.0 points on 52.5% of his shots from the ground, while the Jazz opened the series with two home wins despite the absence of fellow All-Star guard Mike Conley Jr. (hamstring).
He’s been a real star, MVP-caliber player, every kind of guy in the NBA,” said Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, the sixth man of the year with 24 points on a 9-of-15 shot in the second game. That’s his job, and that’s what he does.”
After scoring 32 of his 45 points in the second half of Game 1, Mitchell set the Clippers on fire right after Thursday’s opening point. He had 10 points in the first 3 minutes, 14 seconds as the Jazz made the Clippers pay for his return to the big starting lineup by attacking attacking quarterback Ivica Zubak in a pick-and-roll game. Mitchell finished the half with 27 points.
After amplifying Utah’s lead to 21 points in the third quarter, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue found a way to disrupt Mitchell’s rhythm, going into a zone defense that calmed the jazz and allowed Los Angeles to return to the game.
“I think we were feeling a bit sluggish, kind of looking at Donovan to make a play every time,” said Jazz forward Joe Ingles, who scored 19 points on a 7-of-10 shot.
Mitchell played a supporting role as the Jazz shut out the Clippers, who rallied to take the lead after Reggie Jackson scored 3s in a row midway through the fourth quarter. Engels excelled along the stretch, driving a cup scoop shot to connect it to the next possession and then sending in assists and hitting the dagger 3 during the 9-0 seal run.
“I don’t feel like I have to go in there and do everything,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s a credit to my teammates, credit to the guys we have on this team. They can go out there and make plays. … I don’t feel like I have to go in there, go ahead, do everything. There are times when I have to do that.” It’s just part of my job, but to me, it’s great to have a group of guys who trust and trust you. Just go out there and play and have fun.”
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