The absence of Donovan Mitchell in Game 1 of the Utah Jazz-Memphis Grizzlies playoffs clash came as a huge shock to everyone. In fact, even Rudy Gobert was caught off guard by the decision.

After the Jazz lost a narrow 112-109 game to the Grizzlies on Sunday, Gobert opened up about the team's decision to sit out Mitchell for the contest. The Frenchman was apparently coming off a nap when he learned the surprising development, which he admitted affected him heading into the contest.

“It was a big surprise. But I try to stay out of all this — it's just gonna give me a headache. … When you wake up from a nap and find out your star player isn't going to play, it throws you off a little bit,” Gobert explained, per Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune.

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True enough, Rudy Gobert didn't look like his usual self against the Grizzlies. He finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks, but he was also fouled out of the game after 25 minutes of play–which is the first time this season that he actually fouled out.

Donovan Mitchell's absence certainly made matters worse for the team, as they couldn't afford to lose Gobert as well. With that, the Jazz's comeback bid fell short and ultimately allowed the Grizzlies to erase their homecourt advantage.

Gobert, and all Jazz fans for that matter, will be hoping for Mitchell's return in Game 2. Prior to Game 1, the All-Star guard declared himself ready to go, only to be prevented by the medical staff who deemed him not ready to play his injured ankle.

Fortunately, the Jazz have two days of rest before facing the Grizzlies once again on Wednesday.