The Utah Jazz are inexplicably down 1-2 in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic. Donovan Mitchell and Co. have been unable to stop the likes of Jalen Brunson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Maxi Kleber on the defensive end.

All credit to those three, particularly Brunson, as they've stepped up big time to keep the Mavericks not just alive, but firmly in the driver's seat to hold serve on home-court advantage without Luka Doncic. But a completely healthy Utah Jazz team, one that was the top seed in the West last season and have years of chemistry under their belt, should be able to handle a Mavs team without their best player.

Donovan Mitchell was asked about what's gone wrong for the Jazz thus far.

Via Eric Walden of The Salt Lake City Tribune:

Donovan Mitchell: “It starts defensively, and everything else falls into place.” Notes that the Jazz's intensity didn't rally pick up until Eric Paschall checked in.

NBA Twitter did not agree with Donovan Mitchell. The Twitterverse added insult to injury against the Jazz star as he was repeatedly clowned over his comments.

Some painted Mitchell as the true culprit for the Jazz's struggles, so in effect he's calling himself out.

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Others linked it to his relationship with Jazz co-star Rudy Gobert, who has been the defensive anchor for the club but can't seem to save their easily dismantled defense of late.

It's clear that something needs to change in Utah. Whether it happens before the series ends and they end up advancing or if a series loss leads to wholesale changes in the offseason remains to be seen.