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Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell remains questionable for tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, likely a game-time decision prior to tip-off.
While the 6-foot-3 shooting guard took part in the morning shootaround, he warned his eagerness to play wouldn't be the dominant factor in his decision to play, planning to make the best decision for the team and for his availability throughout the rest of the series.
Article Continues Below“I’m real determined on playing but if my body can’t, I’m not going to push it now and then not be available the rest of the series,” Mitchell said, according to Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News. “I think it’s a matter of being smart with it as well as understanding that I do want to play so it’s tough for me because I want to play through anything, but I’ve got to be smart with it as well.”
Mitchell suffered a left foot contusion, despite leading the team with 27 points and 10 rebounds in a Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and is in danger to miss a pivotal Game 2 tonight as the team intends to bounce back from their playoff-opening defeat. He said he stubbed his toe during his playoff debut after being tripped up on a driving layup in the third quarter.
The rookie led the Jazz in scoring with 20.5 points per game and is eager to take the floor as eager as he was during Game 1, convincing the coaching staff to let him be on the floor.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to the training room as much as I have the past two days,” Mitchell said. “Just nonstop treatment, just continuing to work on it, even while I’m sleeping, and just finding ways to make sure I can recover as fast as possible.”
The Jazz lost 116-108 in Game 1, but signs looked good, as Mitchell didn't limp at all and said he felt “pretty good” during shootaround, slated to make the final call after going through more pre-game action before tip-off.
