The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: If it lingers, Donovan Mitchell injury could mean bad times

By Ryan Aston

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz is introduced prior to a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz is introduced prior to a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell took a shot to the ribs against the LA Lakers. The injury could not have come at a worse time for his team.

Losing to the LA Lakers always feels like a gut punch if you’re a longtime fan of the Utah Jazz. The team’s 90-83 loss to the Lakers on Friday was doubly painful, however. Not just because it was the team’s third consecutive loss, but because Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was knocked out of the bout in a manner most unsavory.

Early in the second quarter, Mitchell took a shot to the mid-section and was pulled from the contest. He missed the rest of the game with a rib contusion.

There’s been no update from the Jazz on the severity of the injury, but even if Mitchell misses little to no time as a result, it could prove costly if its effects linger.

While the Jazz have a laundry list of problems keeping them down currently, their ability to get buckets rates among the biggest issues. And even as Mitchell struggles from the floor — he’s shooting 42 percent overall and 29 percent from distance — the second-year pro remains the club’s best bucket-getter.

What’s more, it’s an area the Jazz need to get better at in a hurry if they want to get back to winning. As difficult as their schedule has been, it doesn’t get much friendlier going forward. Four of the team’s next five games will be on the road and the December slate is a brutal one.

Utah will play the Golden State Warriors, the Portland Trail Blazers (twice), the Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), the San Antonio Spurs (twice), the Houston Rockets (twice) and the Philadelphia 76ers over the course of the month.

Several of those team’s rank among the league’s best and all are currently at or above .500 on the year.

In fact, the only game you can really look at over that span as one the team absolutely “should” win is a home game on the 29th against the New York Knicks. And even then, if the early season has shown us anything, it’s that there are no gimmes for the Jazz right now.

Next. Utah Jazz's poor shooting vs LA Lakers indicative of bigger, season-long problems. dark

If you’ve followed our work here on The J-Notes, you know we’re not about fans going into panic mode. That continues to be the case now, even as the losses come more frequently and Mitchell’s status is uncertain.

That said, if Utah is faced to force that schedule with an absent or ailing Mitchell, the team’s current hole could become a cavern.

Home/Jazz News