Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, right goes past Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson during an NBA game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News)
Estimated read time: Less than a minute
SALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell will miss at least the next two games after sustaining a left lower back strain in Utah’s Christmas win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Mitchell will not travel with the Jazz on their upcoming road trip in order stay in Salt Lake City and receive treatment.
He’ll miss at least Monday’s game at San Antonio and Wednesday’s at Portland.
Mitchell went to the locker room in the first half of the game to get worked on when he felt his back tighten up after throwing a pass.
“I don’t really know how to describe the feeling but it’s just like when you have to kind of stand straight,” he said.
He later returned and ended up scoring 33 points to pace the Jazz to the win. There were moments, though, he looked in obvious discomfort — even if he claimed he wasn’t.
“I got worked on and dunked right after that, so I was all right,” Mitchell said.
A day later, it turns out he wasn’t so all right.
The Jazz didn’t give a further timeline on Mitchell’s return. The Jazz next play at home on Friday against Minnesota.
×
