Donovan Mitchell leapfrogs Utah Jazz legend on all-time list

Donovan Mitchell is climbing the top 10 among all Utah Jazz bucket-getters.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell notched a game-high 32 points in Monday night’s 113-104 home victory over the New York Knicks. That’s not to mention his seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals — three in the fourth quarter alone — in only his second game back after missing eight outings while trying to clear the NBA’s concussion protocols.

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And the three-time All-Star needed almost all of his buckets to surpass Utah legend Deron Williams on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. Mitchell, a former low lottery pick, now sits No. 9 with 7,580 points in the regular season across his five-year pro career, just four more points than Williams finished with between his six Jazz campaigns (2005-06 to 2010-11).

How far might the Utah Jazz gem climb this year?

Barring significant injury, Donovan Mitchell will likely move past Gordon Hayward (8,077 points as a Jazzman from 2010-11 to 2016-17) by this season’s end. And if the 25-year-old plays lights-out from here on out, averaging about 27 points across the remaining 28 games, he could also catch Pete Maravich (No. 7 with 8,324 points with the Jazz from 1974-75 to 1979-80) this go-round.

Of course, Karl Malone (a Jazz sensation from 1985-86 through the 2002-03 season) sits atop the franchise’s scoring list with 36,374 points, almost twice as many as No. 2 on the list, John Stockton (19,711 points with Utah from 1984-85 to 2002-03).

Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz (33-21), now No. 4 in the Western Conference standings and riding a three-game win streak, return to the floor at 8 p.m. MT Wednesday when they host the Golden State Warriors (No. 2 in the West at 41-13 overall).

Stay tuned to The J-Notes for more on Donovan Mitchell’s stellar play this season, plus other Utah Jazz news and views.