By: Donna Andrew
Donovan Mitchell is one of the best players in the NFL and he is currently having a rough time with injuries. There are a few things that have been reported, and they are Bruising in both quads and lower back strain.
By: Donna Andrew
Bruising in both quads
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz was seen limping off the court in pain and discomfort during Game 5 of the series against the Dallas Mavericks. While he was optimistic he would be able to play in Game 6, the fact that he was injured is a worry for the Jazz.
Mitchell has a history of back, leg, and knee injuries. During the playoffs, his hamstring injury has negatively affected his performance. He has averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds during the playoffs. However, he has been unable to score efficiently against Dallas.
Mitchell’s injury came just under five minutes into the fourth quarter. After attempting to finish at the rim, Mitchell landed awkwardly and was able to grab his leg. He immediately began clawing at his left hamstring.
A team doctor then examined Mitchell’s hamstring. An MRI on the left hamstring proved negative. The team decided to test the right quadriceps. It turned out that he had bilateral quadriceps contusions, according to the team.
Thankfully, Mitchell will still play in Game 6. According to the team, he is expected to play on Thursday in Salt Lake City.
Though he missed the first three games of the series with a hamstring injury, the severity of the injury is not as severe. As a result, Mitchell should be able to play in Game 6. If he cannot play in Game 6, Isaac Okoro will likely see more minutes.
Lower back strain
Donovan Mitchell is dealing with a lower back strain. He will miss two games in the next week, including the Utah Jazz’s trip to Portland on Wednesday. It will be the second time this season that Mitchell has missed a game.
He is still able to score, however, averaging 29.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. Despite the absence, Caris LeVert should be able to see increased minutes, while Isaac Okoro could also be added to the Jazz’s rotation.
Earlier this season, Donovan Mitchell played through a hamstring injury. But x-rays showed that he didn’t have a broken bone.
Now, he is on the shelf with a left lower back strain. Mitchell is expected to miss two more games and will remain in Salt Lake City for treatment. If he returns to the court in a timely fashion, he should be able to return to the field as soon as safely possible.
If he is unable to return to action, Caris LeVert will replace Mitchell in the starting lineup. Joe Ingles will play the swingman role. Hopefully, he will be able to help carry the offense.
While Mitchell is expected to return to action in the final regular season game, there are still questions about his overall health. His status will be determined closer to game time.
Hamstring injury
The Utah Jazz have been left wondering if Donovan Mitchell can play in Game 6 of the series. The star guard suffered an apparent hamstring injury with 4:41 to go in Monday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, which led to him leaving the court. But he still finished with nine points, two rebounds and an assist, and said he would be fine for Game 6.
It’s unclear if Mitchell will be able to play in Game 6. He hasn’t been very effective in the playoffs so far, averaging just 30.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the first four games of the series.
He’s still limping, however, and his team is going to have to figure out how to win without him. With just a day to go before Game 6, it’s important for Mitchell to be healthy for the final stretch of the series.
While Mitchell may not be a slo-mo player, he’s expected to make a comeback in a couple weeks. However, he’s not expected to be 100% fit, and it’s likely he’ll miss the remainder of the series.
Donovan Mitchell was playing in his first game since suffering a lower leg injury in August. The Utah star has been dealing with bruising in both quadriceps, and the team is not entirely convinced he’ll be ready for Game 6.
While it’s unclear what exactly happened to Mitchell during Game 5, he did get an MRI to rule out more serious injuries. He’ll undergo a more thorough evaluation on Tuesday in Salt Lake City, and Utah is a bit optimistic he’ll play in Game 6.