The No. 1 seed Utah Jazz lost home-court advantage in their series against Memphis Grizzlies after dropping Game 1.
The Jazz were without star Donovan Mitchell, who told reporters during shootaround that he was set to play. But Utah’s medical team ruled him out at the last minute, a decision Mitchell was reportedly unhappy with.
“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,” wrote Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon.
“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.”
After scoring just 43 points in the first half, the Jazz eventually lost by three points. The team definitely missed Mitchell’s offensive production and clutch shooting.
There seems to be some disagreement between Mitchell’s camp and Utah’s training staff, but the 24-year-old should be ready to play for Game 2 on Thursday.
