Following a demoralizing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, rookie shooting guard Donovan Mitchell vowed to play with more intensity in Game 6, hoping to defend home court one last time in this series and reach the Western Conference semifinals, currently up 3-2.

The Jazz were forced to play without both of their twin towers, mire in foul trouble during the second half, resulting in an unforeseen 25-point comeback in the third quarter, ultimately resulting in a 107-99 loss in Game 5.

“You definitely see how much the impact of Rudy [Gobert] and Fave means when they're on the floor,” said Mitchell. “But then when they go out, it means that everyone has to step it up. We've been kind of letting down out guard, being up 25 we're thinking we have it in the bag, when they clearly had other thoughts.”

Mitchell poured in 23 points and the Jazz had good reason to think they could run away with this one, outscoring the Thunder in both quarters and holding them to 12 points in the second quarter — carving a 15-point advantage to start the half.

The Jazz managed to extend the lead to 25 in the opening minutes of the third quarter, until Gobert picked up two quick fouls, leaving by the 9:23 mark and garnering another foul; his fifth, upon returning four minutes later.

Since then, Utah was frazzled and Gobert, as well as big man Derrick Favors couldn't play very aggressively due to their foul trouble, resulting on their ultimate demise.

Heading into tonight's Game 6, Mitchell shrugged off any notion of fatigue, noting he enjoys the grind of this series.

“We enjoy making adjustments,” said Mitchell. “The little that you tweak from game to game is what makes the playoffs the playoffs. It makes it fun.”

The rookie will have a chance to hold down the fort once more, hopeful to put a bow on this series and face the awaiting Houston Rockets in the next round.