Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz had high expectations entering the playoffs last season. Those expectations were booted out by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round, putting a stunning end to the year for Utah.

Mitchell dealt with an ankle injury during the postseason and while you won't find him making tons of excuses, it affected him. He noted that to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

“I’ve kind of got to a point where I’m appreciative of the injury for myself,” Mitchell said. “For my personal growth on and off the floor, I think that injury really — and you know me, Sam, like I love jumping through, around you or over you — (but) that injury kept me on the ground for the entire playoffs, and it allowed me to have to make decisions on the ground. Slow it down. Different things that really opened things up to (where) I was like, ‘OK, this is another level, (a) layer of my game that I can get to without (the athleticism).”

The Jazz finished with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and the thought was they would handle the Clippers following the season ending injury to Kawhi Leonard. LA still prevailed.

As for Mitchell's ankle? It's doing fine now and he's ready to roll with the Jazz this season.

“The ankle feels good. I’ll be ready to go. I think last year definitely was shaky. There were just so many different obstacles with the ankle and whatnot, but — like I said — no slight to Phoenix or Milwaukee or the Clippers, you know, (but) I feel like if we were healthy, you know, we, we get to the Finals.”

Clearly Mitchell still believes this Jazz team can get it done and reach the mountain top.