Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell sprained his right ankle with 12 seconds remaining in Thursday's Game 2 against the LA Clippers on the Vivint Arena court, which he sprained several weeks ago.
Mitchell rose several seconds later, shot his free throw and finished a 117–111 victory that gave the top-seeded Jazz a 2–0 lead in the Western Conference semi-final series. He lay limp to the floor after the win, but Mitchell insists that his health is not a concern as the series takes place in Los Angeles.
"I hurt and I got hurt, but now I'm fine," Mitchell said after his 37-point performance. "I moved here. If you want me to sprint for you, I can. I'm good. You know, s---happens. Thankfully, it wasn't bad. Go ahead and game Get ready for 3."
Mitchell, who was scratched late for Utah's postseason opener due to an ankle sprain that sidelined him for the final 16 games of the regular season, has been one of the playoff's most influential forces so far.
The Jazz are 6-0 with Mitchell in the starting lineup this post season, and he averages 32.7 points per game, putting him in historically elite company. According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, the only players with a high scoring average to win their first six games of the post season are Kobe Bryant (34.3) in 2008 and LeBron James (34.2) in 2017.
Mitchell has been particularly stellar against the Clippers, averaging 41.0 points on 52.5% shooting from the floor, while the Jazz started the series with two home wins despite the absence of fellow All-Star guard Mike Connelly Jr. (hamstring).
"He's moving in a big way right now," said Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, sixth Man of the Year, who scored 24 points on 15 shootings from 9 in Game 2. "He's been a real superstar, an MVP-caliber player, an All-NBA type of guy. 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 burned the Clippers right after the opening tip on Thursday. She had 10 points in the first 3 minutes, 14 seconds, as the Jazz paid the Clippers to move back to their large starting lineup by attacking center Ivica Zubac in a pick-and-roll. Mitchell finished the half with 27 points.
After Utah's lead was 21 points in the third quarter, Clippers coach Tyrone Lew found a way to disrupt Mitchell's rhythm, going into a zone defense that cooled the Jazz and allowed LA to return to the game. Gave permission.
Jazz forward Joe Ingalls said, "I think we stagnated a bit in this, watching Donovan make a play each time, who scored 19 out of 7 shooting 10.
Mitchell played a supporting role as the Jazz closed the Clippers, who rallied to take the lead after Reggie Jackson hit back-to-back 3s in the middle of the fourth quarter. Ingalls rolled down the stretch, driving for a scoop shot that he banked high to tie Glass to the next possession and then smacked out two assists and daggers 3 during a win-sealing 9-0 run. killed.
"I don't feel like I have to go out there and do everything," Mitchell said. "I think it's credit to my teammates, credit to the guys we have in this team. They can go out there and make plays. ... I don't feel like I have to go up there, walk up , do everything. Sometimes I have to do it. It's just part of my job, but for me, it's great to have a group of people who trust you and trust you. You're just Go out there and play and have fun."