3 studs and 0 duds from blowout Utah Jazz win over Nets

Utah Jazz stud: Donovan Mitchell

The expression “a sight for sore eyes” could not have been more applicable to Mitchell’s return for Utah Jazz fans last night. Their eyes were getting so sore that a lifetime’s supply of Visine couldn’t fix them.

Mitchell picked right up where he left off, finishing with 27 points on 8/10 shooting from the field and 6/7 shooting from three point range. Any night where you finish with 27 points on 10 shots, you deserve to pat yourself on the back.

Mitchell looked like a player making an effort to fit in after a prolonged absence. If anything, he could have been more aggressive, but in a 23 point victory, there’s no purpose in engaging in what-ifs.

Mitchell set a team-first tone early with a sensational dish to Royce O’Neale for an open 3. Generally speaking, it was apparent that this Jazz offense relies on the attention Mitchell receives from opposing defenses. Without his gravity, the team doesn’t have much of a gameplan to speak of.

All of which is understandable. It’s hard to identify a team in the NBA that doesn’t need its best offensive player. All the Jazz can do is hope that Mitchell is available as frequently as possible as the year progresses: particularly in the postseason.

When he is, this team continues to look like the title contender that Jazz fans expected in 2021-22.