Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell likely out for the rest of the NBA regular season
The Utah Jazz are moving toward securing the top seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Utah has operated the last few weeks without star guard Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle sprain. According to Pro Basketball Talk, that absence may extend through the rest of the regular season.
The Jazz don’t have any pressure to bring back Mitchell before he’s physically ready. The star needs all the rest he can get before he gears it up for the playoffs.
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Utah has managed without him, holding a 7-4 record while willing their last four games. His absence has been notable, but there isn’t a need to have him on the floor sooner than expected.
However, the decision to keep him sidelined until the playoffs puts him in a potentially challenging position. He will have to work to get his legs under him in the postseason without any regular-season action.
Mitchell should provide an immediately upon his return, but it will take him a few games before he finds his footing. His production will give the Jazz a significant offensive boost.
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Head coach Quin Synder recently voiced that he isn’t too concerned about Mitchell’s timing. He expressed that the play-in tournament will give the star guard more time to work his way into form on the practice floor.
“There’s a little larger window, so you can get some of that in a practice setting,” Quinn said via Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Time will tell if that extended time off will impact Mitchell’s performance.
