Report: Donovan Mitchell Upset With Jazz For Sitting Him Game 1

[Jordan45822]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31503670/donovan-mitchell-angry-utah-jazz-late-call-sit-game-1-sources-say

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was incensed at the late decision to scratch him from Sunday's playoff opener and it deepened tensions with the team regarding his recovery from a right ankle sprain, sources told ESPN.

Mitchell has been out since April 16, longer than was initially expected. After he progressed slowly in the early stages of recovery, Mitchell began to work with his personal training staff on the rehabilitation, sources said.

There is hope that more rehab and testing can lead to Mitchell being cleared to play in Wednesday's Game 2, sources said, as the top-seeded Jazz look to even the series with the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies

NBA experts: Big Game 1 takeaways and what comes next
But in addition to managing the injury, some easing of frustrations may have to take place behind the scenes. That could include new part-owner Dwyane Wade, sources said. Wade has a good relationship with Mitchell and is with the team this week in Salt Lake City.

"Sorry y'all... I wish I could say more.... I'll be out there soon!" Mitchell tweeted after the Jazz's 112-109 Game 1 loss.

There was an expectation Mitchell would play after he'd practiced for three days and attended shootaround Sunday morning. He was not listed on the Jazz's injury report Saturday or early Sunday.

"I'm ready to go," Mitchell said Sunday morning. "No pain. I'm excited to get going."

But after shootaround the Jazz training staff, which has the final say on player availability, recommended he remain on the inactive list. The Jazz have a history of being cautious in managing player injuries.

After the loss Sunday several players, including star center Rudy Gobert, said they were surprised when they learned of the change in game plan.

"I try to stay out of all of this, because it's just going to give me a headache," Gobert said. "Hopefully, he's good for next game. That's all I'm worried about."

Coach Quin Snyder acknowledged Mitchell was upset, praising his competitive fire.

Wade, who joined the ownership group in April, has a long personal history of managing injuries, particularly in the postseason. His experience and insight and respect from modern players was one of the reasons new Jazz owner Ryan Smith welcomed him as a partner.

The Jazz are scheduled to practice Monday afternoon.

[MTJazzv3]

The late scratch was a bad look for fans, the team and DM but very well could be the right decision if the Jazz get a deep run. With DM the odds are still high the Jazz will take the Grizz in the first round. I'd rather see a competitive series where the Jazz sans Mitchell have to work hard then Mitchell re-tweaking his ankle in a very winnable series without him

[Patches Perry]

Of course he wants to play, and of course the training staff want him to play, but we don't know what they saw. I will err on the side of thinking the training staff had good reasons. It's unfortunate for the Jazz for basketball reasons, but if he had gone out there and aggravated it, the criticism would be of the training staff as well. Bad guy either way, so might as well try to make the right decision.

[Pharmcat]

You get wade in the door and your star player is now upset? What did you think was going to happen

[OkcSinceSGA]

Kawhi Spurs 2.0 situation brewing

[wade44]

Lol at this being front page news at ESPN. The media is so hellbent on pushing stars out of small markets

Just making mountains out of molehills per usual

[Lockdown504090]

Man should be pissed they worked so hard for home court, and the lost it first game of the first round.

[Jalexjsmithj]

This is exactly how the relationship should work. Players should want to play and medical staffs have to make bigger decisions to protect the player. There’s zero % that this instance is a negative for the Jazz to keep Mitchell in the meantime, if anything, this is the kind of thing that agents are grateful to the teams for and will go to bat for teams that treat the players right.


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[iLLmatic860]

He needs to get out of Utah

[Nate505]

He needs to get out of Utah

Oh yeah, his career has really suffered in Utah.

[ATRAIN53]

Made NO SENSE to me, esp watching him walking up and down the sideline and cheering. He even mixed it up with Memphis players during TO's.

You don't sit a guy who has more PPG in the playoffs than freakin Kobe Bryant if the guy says he wants to play.

Who in that org has that power to override him?
This is the playoffs, this is when players decide if they play or not.

When guys play hurt it inspires your team.

[bisme37]

I imagine everyone will live. Other people get upset multiple times per day, it's just nobody writes an article about it.

[TravisScott55]

They are protecting his long term health.

[iamworthy]

He should be mad at himself for allowing them to bench him.

[The_Hater]

Of course Mitchell wants to play. He’s competitive. That’s a very good thing.

But nothing wrong with the Jazz keeping the bigger picture in mind. James Harden came back too early and preceded to miss an additional 4-6 weeks.

[bobobolas10]

Grizzlies not upset with jazz for sitting him in game 1.

Probably they thought they will win anyway. Actually, I hope they keep resting for another game or two. Jazz played gobert only 25 minutes. They should cut his minutes a lil bit more. Healt comes first.

[cjmcallist]

I agree that it shouldn't be a big deal for the team to rest a player in a 1v8 matchup.

However... It is a really bad look for Utah: teams should always be on the same page as their players prior to the pre-game press conference. And, this is the second year in a row that the season has ended with some Mitchell tension. Def a bad omen.

[HeartBreakKid]

Made NO SENSE to me, esp watching him walking up and down the sideline and cheering. He even mixed it up with Memphis players during TO's.

You don't sit a guy who has more PPG in the playoffs than freakin Kobe Bryant if the guy says he wants to play.

Who in that org has that power to override him?
This is the playoffs, this is when players decide if they play or not.

When guys play hurt it inspires your team.

The coach, the gm, the president, the owner. Quite a few guys...

[youngthegiant]

Utah gave him a player option for his 5th year...huge mistake.

[azcatz11]

Utah gave him a player option for his 5th year...huge mistake.

what do you mean?