Jazz's Mike Conley Says It's 'Surreal' to Be 'Villain' Against Grizzlies After Game 3
May 30, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) defends during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Mike Conley spent 12 years playing the hero in Memphis, shepherding the offense through the Grit and Grind era.
Returning for the first time for a playoff series as an opponent Saturday, Conley saw firsthand what it was like to be the "villain" as he dropped 27 points in the Jazz's 121-111 win over the Grizzlies in Game 3.
He said after the game:
"It's amazing to be playing against a guy like Ja [Morant], first off. Just seeing a guy that's so talented—he's a young superstar in the league—wearing the jersey that I'm so used to wearing. ... Getting the cheers from the crowd that I'm so used to hearing, it's surreal. It's like full circle. You never thought that it would be this way; I never did at least. It's like sometimes you live long enough to become the villain, and I've become that for the Memphis Grizzlies now."
The divorce between Conley and the Grizzlies was one of mutual respect. Memphis moved on after selecting Ja Morant to serve as its point guard of the future, sending Conley to a Utah team that fit his game perfectly. There are few situations where a player and team have broken up under better terms.
That said, playoff basketball is playoff basketball. Any opposing player—even a franchise legend—is going to hear some jeers when he drops seven threes on the home team's head.
Morant, meanwhile, has been sensational in keeping the Grizzlies competitive against the top-seeded Jazz. His 33.7 points per game in the first round rank third behind only Luka Doncic and Kawhi Leonard among playoff scorers.
Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Hold off Ja Morant, Grizzlies 121-111 to Win Game 3
May 30, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) defends during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and Mike Conley added 27 more as the Utah Jazz took a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies by defeating the hosts 121-111 on Saturday at FedExForum.
The Jazz led by double digits after the first, second and third quarters, but Memphis began the fourth on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 98.
Memphis grabbed a 109-107 lead on a Morant bucket, but Mitchell scored 10 points during a 14-2 Utah run to end the game.
Conley hit seven three-pointers and also dished a team-high eight assists. Rudy Gobert pitched in a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double alongside four blocks.
Morant (28 points, seven assists) and Dillon Brooks (27 points) paced the Grizzlies' offense. Jonas Valanciunas (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Kyle Anderson (11 points, 13 rebounds) added double-doubles.
Utah is now two wins away from reaching the Western Conference semifinals for the third time in five years.
Notable Performances
Jazz G Donovan Mitchell: 29 points, five assists
Jazz G Mike Conley Jr.: 27 points, eight assists, six rebounds
Jazz C Rudy Gobert: 15 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks
Jazz F Bojan Bogdanovic: 15 points, six rebounds
Jazz G Jordan Clarkson: 15 points
Grizzlies PG Ja Morant: 28 points, seven assists
Grizzlies F Kyle Anderson: 11 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals
Grizzlies C Jonas Valanciunas: 10 points, 13 rebounds, five assists
Grizzlies SG Dillon Brooks: 27 points
Grizzlies SG Grayson Allen: 17 points
Conley, Mitchell Lift Jazz
Utah led by 12 points after the first quarter and 11 points following the second and third, but the resilient Grizzlies hung around and tied the game at 98 thanks to six Brooks points, a Kyle Anderson tip-in and five Grayson Allen points (both buckets off Anderson assists).
The Jazz needed to dig deep to rally against a tough, gritty Grizzlies team that had the backing of a loud and vibrant home crowd. Thanks to Conley and Mitchell, they were able to pull through.
Conley drilled a clutch three-pointer, his seventh of the game, for a 103-100 lead:
After Morant answered Conley with a three of his own, the Jazz point guard fired back with a 10-foot floater.
Four straight Grizzlies points gave Memphis the 107-105 lead, but Conley then found Gobert for an alley-oop dunk and a 107-all tie.
Conley was the best and most consistent Utah player on the floor, and Sarah Todd of the Deseret News pointed out his importance as the point guard dominated the opposition:
And Sam Vecenie of The Athletic shouted him out too:
I’ve admittedly only been partially paying attention to Utah-Memphis, but every time I look up I’m just blown away by how Mike Conley dictated this game in pick and roll. Especially the last six minutes. Every right decision as a passer. The early 3s. Just a superb game.
From that point on, it was all Mitchell as he destroyed the Memphis defense and led the Jazz to the 10-point win.
Mitchell soon hit the biggest bucket of the game courtesy of a three-pointer over Anderson for the 113-109 advantage:
🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶how many chara pic.twitter.com/m537by7ZN0
After Conley found Gobert for another bucket, Mitchell went back at it, drawing a pair of fouls and hitting 4-of-5 free throws.
That salted the game away for the Jazz as it withstood a furious fight from the Grizzlies, which have had a reputation over the years for being a tough, blue-collar team that's hard to put away.
Conley, who played in Memphis for the first 12 years of his career, was a fixture on some of those teams. In the end, his own grit and grind—coupled with Mitchell's bucket-making—put Utah in the series lead.
Resilient Grizzlies Fight Until the End, But Early Hole Too Much To Overcome
Memphis never let Utah run away with this game even though it looked like the Jazz's three-point barrage could do just that.
The fact that the Grizzlies took the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter showcases this team's heart and perseverance in the face of adversity.
They clearly take after the relentlessness of their star point guard in Morant, who is well on his way to being an All-NBA player and postseason fixture for years. He's already put himself in great company:
Ja Morant has scored 101 points in his first three career playoff games, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and George Mikan as the only players in NBA History with 100+ points in their first three postseason games. pic.twitter.com/l67In1VLlv
The end of the fourth quarter did not go their way as Mitchell simply took over while Memphis went cold from the field, but the issue Saturday was deeper than that, as Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal tweeted and Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins mentioned after the game:
Taylor Jenkins continues to go back how the first Q let the Grizzlies down
Grizzlies trailed by 12 after one. They lost by 11.
I've said it all game. Do the math and this loss is easy to figure out. Add in the Jazz making 19 3s compared to the Grizzlies' 13.
Utah won this game despite getting outscoring Memphis in just one quarter. The problem for the Grizzlies, though, was that one quarter ended with the Jazz up 34-22 after 12 minutes.
Cassie Carlson of WMC Action News 5 relayed another problem that Jenkins mentioned:
Taylor Jenkins: Jazz made the plays down the stretch. First quarter Grizzlies didn't have the discipline.
The defense clearly did not fare well in those 12 minutes, as seven Jazz three-pointers proved to be the difference in Utah giving itself some breathing room. Royce O'Neale hit three of them.
Utah ultimately went 19-of-43 from three, and Memphis shot 13-of-41. As Barnes noted, it's not hard to see why the Grizzlies lost. They simply couldn't match Utah's firepower from deep, as most evidenced by a fantastic first quarter.
What's Next?
Memphis will host Utah for Game 4 on Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Mark Eaton, Former Jazz Center and 2-Time NBA DPOY, Dies at 64
May 29, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 04: NBA Legend Mark Eaton presents Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz 2018-19 KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the meet the team event at vivint.SmartHome Arena on October 04, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Longtime Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton died this weekend at the age of 64.
The Jazz confirmed Eaton's death to Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.
We are heartbroken by the passing of Utah Jazz legend Mark Eaton.
Our thoughts are with his family as we all mourn the loss of a great man, mentor, athlete and staple of the community. pic.twitter.com/HkINyLF9ix
The sheriff's office wrote that police arrived on the scene after receiving a call about an unconscious man lying in the roadway. It was noted that Eaton appeared to have crashed his bike, and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Eaton spent his entire 11-year NBA career with the Jazz, earning one All-Star nod and two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.
After playing sparingly in college at UCLA, Eaton was a fourth-round pick by the Jazz in the 1982 NBA draft, but he quickly became a defensive force.
Eaton was a four-time block champion, including in 1984-85 when he averaged 5.6 blocks per game, which remains a single-season NBA record.
Aside from his huge block numbers, Eaton also set career highs in scoring (9.7 points per game), rebounding (11.3 per game) and assists (1.5 per game) in 1984-85.
The 7'4" big man was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year that season and went on to win the award again in 1989.
Eaton was also a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team and two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in addition to getting his jersey No. 53 retired by the Jazz.
Overall, Eaton appeared in 875 career regular-season games and posted averages of 6.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.0 assist, while shooting 45.8 percent from the field.
Eaton is fourth on the NBA's all-time blocks list with 3,064, and his 3.5 blocks per game is the best mark in NBA history.
Originally from Westminster, California, Eaton made his home in Summit County, Utah, after retiring from the NBA in 1993, and he established himself as a motivational speaker, per KUTV.
Donovan Mitchell Talks Jazz Fan Reputations, Potential Impact on Adding Free Agents
May 29, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) watches during the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell addressed reporters Friday in the aftermath of the verbal abuse Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant's family endured during Utah's home playoff win over Memphis on Wednesday in Salt Lake City's Vivint Arena.
ESPN's Nick Friedell relayed Mitchell's remarks, which touched on the reputation of Jazz fans and how they're perceived by other players across the league:
"There's a rep, let's call a spade a spade. There is a rep that this happens solely here and as we've seen there's incidents that happen everywhere ... I don't know, but I don't think it will necessarily have an impact on guys' decisions, whether they want to come here or not."
"It's beyond unfortunate and it needs to change. It happened here. Trae got spit on in New York, Russ getting popcorn thrown at him, and we obviously hear what's going on in Boston too. Enough is enough, man.I feel like banning them is great but I don't think they should be back"
Tee Morant, Ja's father, spoke with ESPN's Tim MacMahon about what he and his wife, Jamie, experienced.
"Tee Morant said one fan made a sexually explicit remark to his wife, Jamie. Tee Morant, who was sitting a couple of seats over, confronted the man before security deescalated the situation, ejecting the Jazz fan.
"According to Tee Morant, another Jazz fan told him, 'I'll put a nickel in your back and watch you dance, boy.' Several other Jazz fans, who had been enjoying good-spirited trash talk with the Morants and their family friends, confronted that fan and alerted security. Tee Morant said he was shocked that the Jazz fan, who was ejected, made such a comment with the man's young daughter by his side.
"The third fan who was ejected yelled at Jamie Morant, 'Shut the f--k up, b---h,' Tee Morant said."
As Mitchell referenced, NBA stars have been subjected to bad fan behavior. A fan threw popcorn on Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook in Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, and another spit on Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young in New York's Madison Square Garden.
Multiple Jazz fans have received lifetime bans from Vivint Arena for verbal abuse hurled at Westbrook when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mitchell also tweeted about the incidents involving the Morants following the matchup, which Utah won 141-129 to knot the Western Conference first-round series at one game apiece.
I’m glad those fans were banned and they should never be allowed back.... this is ridiculous!!! The fact that these words are being thrown around to players and there families is ridiculous! Enough is enough smh! https://t.co/rfzj0T1W1r
The three fans implicated in making derogatory comments toward Morant's family have been banned from Vivint Arena for life.
Jazz Governor Ryan Smith Apologizes to Ja Morant: 'We Are Embarrassed and Sorry'
May 28, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 26: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies runs down the court during the game against the Utah Jazz during Round 1, Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2021 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Swinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz chairman Ryan Smith offered a public apology to the Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Morant's family after the point guard's parents were subjected to racist and harmful comments by three separate fans attending Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Memphis Grizzlies and Morant family... we are embarrassed and sorry. The @UtahJazz have zero tolerance for offensive behavior. We are committed to creating a respectful, competitive environment. https://t.co/cLsKWSk1l1
On Thursday the Jazz handed down indefinite bans to three fans the organization identified during Utah's 141-129 victory. They were the third team to ban fans after Wednesday's playoff games. The Philadelphia 76ers indefinitely banned a season-ticket holder after he dumped popcorn on an injured Russell Westbrook, and the New York Knicks did the same after a fan was caught on video spitting at Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young.
Smith is in his first year as the team's governor after purchasing the club from the Miller Family in October.
"I know heckling," Tee Morant, Ja's father, told ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "We were doing that the whole game. But that's different than heckling. That's straight up disrespectful. That was too far out of line. You don't say nothing like that heckling. That's beyond heckling."
Tee Morant said one fan made a sexually explicit remark to his wife, Jamie. Tee Morant, who was sitting a couple of seats over, confronted the man before security deescalated the situation, ejecting the Jazz fan.
According to Tee Morant, another Jazz fan told him, 'I'll put a nickel in your back and watch you dance, boy.' Several other Jazz fans, who had been enjoying good-spirited trash talk with the Morants and their family friends, confronted that fan and alerted security. Tee Morant said he was shocked that the Jazz fan, who was ejected, made such a comment with the man's young daughter by his side.
Former NBA star Dwyane Wade—who purchased a minority share of the Jazz earlier this year—also called out the actions and offered his apologies to the Morant family.
(Note: Wade is an employee of Bleacher Report's parent company WarnerMedia and serves as creative director for B/R)
If we turn our backs on this kind of behavior we’re all apart of the problem. This will not be tolerated! Apologies once again to Ja and his family 🙏🏾🖤 https://t.co/uG9QSS5ZIF
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell took to Twitter to express his dismay over the situation and said he was happy the fans were banned.
I’m glad those fans were banned and they should never be allowed back.... this is ridiculous!!! The fact that these words are being thrown around to players and there families is ridiculous! Enough is enough smh! https://t.co/rfzj0T1W1r
In a statement released by the Jazz on Thursday, the organization reiterated its zero tolerance policy towards offensive and disruptive behavior.
The rise in unruly fans attending postseason games led the NBA to release its own statement reiterating its code of conduct at all arenas.
"The return of more NBA fans to our arenas has brought great excitement and energy to the start of the playoffs, but it is critical that we all show respect for players, officials and our fellow fans," the league said. "An enhanced fan code of conduct will be vigorously enforced in order to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved.”
Jazz Ban 3 Fans Indefinitely for Heckling Ja Morant's Family During Game 2
May 27, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 26: Close up of the Utah Jazz logo during a game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 26, 2020 in Salt Lake City, UT. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz have banned three fans for their actions in the stands during the team's 141-129 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Jazz released a statement on three fans who were removed from the stadium after heckling the family of Ja Morant at the game. pic.twitter.com/J3KvHrbVCl
The move comes amid multiple instances of unruly fan behavior at NBA playoff games as teams ease attendance restrictions they had in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One Philadelphia 76ers fan dumped popcorn on Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook as the point guard was walking to the locker room in the fourth quarter of a 120-95 defeat on Wednesday.
In another incident, the New York Knicks banned the fan who spit on Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young in the fourth quarter of the Knicks' 101-92 Game 2 victory. Young declined to press any charges.
Vivint Arena has gained a reputation for being especially hostile for opposing players of color.
Westbrook threatened one fan at courtside during a game in March 2019, alleging the fan had told him to "get down on your knees like you're used to."
Former sharpshooter Kyle Korver was a member the Jazz at the time and explained in an essay for The Players' Tribune how the team held a meeting after the comment directed at Westbrook was made. Some Jazz players talked about moments when they felt "degraded in ways that went beyond acceptable heckling."
"One teammate talked about how his mom had called him right after the game, concerned for his safety in SLC," Korver wrote. "One teammate said the night felt like being 'in a zoo.'"
Etan Thomas, who spent nine seasons in the league, also recounted the times he played in Utah:
I can recall countless road trips looking around the arena in Salt Lake City and being shocked by the faces of hate glaring back from the crowd. Every away building is a hostile environment with passionate fans rooting for the home team and sometimes crossing the line. But in Utah, it’s different. There are abundantly clear racial undertones to the heckling that seem to hover in the arena.
Speaking more broadly about what transpired in recent days, Westbrook told reporters "this s--t is getting out of hand."
Judge Dismisses $100M Lawsuit Against Russell Westbrook, Jazz Filed by Utah Fans
May 27, 2021
Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook plays during Game 2 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Having popcorn dumped on him as he exited the floor during Game 2 of the Washington Wizards' first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers isn't the only fan-related news for Russell Westbrook this week.
On Thursday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported a Utah judge dismissed a $100 million lawsuit that fans Shane Keisel and Jennifer Huff filed against Westbrook and the Utah Jazz.
The fans claimed defamation and infliction of emotional stress because they were banned from Jazz games after taunting the nine-time All-Star when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder in March 2019.
In December 2019, ESPN noted that Westbrook was caught on video saying "I'll f--k you up," to the two fans while standing close to OKC's bench. The NBA fined him $25,000 "for directing profanity and threatening language to a fan."
The UCLA product said Keisel and Huff directd "racial" and "completely disrespectful" language toward him, including saying "get on your knees like you're used to."
However, Keisel countered that he actually said "ice those knees up" and that his language was "the same kind and caliber as that of the other audience members in the section" instead of racist.
Keisel alleged he lost work as a result of the confrontation.
Westbrook experienced another display of bad behavior during Washington's loss to the 76ers on Wednesday. A fan dumped popcorn over his head as he exited the floor down the tunnel after suffering an ankle injury.
Security and event staff had to hold Westbrook back once he realized what happened.
The 76ers announced they revoked the fan's season ticket and banned him from Wells Fargo Center indefinitely.
Ja Morant on Rudy Gobert Block: I’m Not Afraid... I Was Right Back Inside the Paint
May 27, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 26: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game during Round 1, Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2021 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Swinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was undeterred by a highlight-reel block from Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday.
During the second quarter of an eventual 141-129 win for the Jazz, Gobert rejected Morant, who was rising up for what he hoped to be an emphatic dunk:
Morant said the following after the game: "I'm not afraid. That's his job: to protect the rim. My job when I'm attacking the rim is to go finish. So obviously, he got a good block. But as you [saw] throughout the game, I was right back inside the paint."
Although Morant enjoyed a star-making performance with 47 points, the top-seeded Jazz still managed to knot the series at 1-1.
Morant clearly didn't go into a shell after the reverse posterization, as he continued to attack and kept the Grizzlies in the game throughout.
All told, Ja made 15 of the 26 shots he attempted and got to the free-throw line a remarkable 20 times, making 15 of them.
Jazz head coach Quin Snyder was among those who marveled at what Morant accomplished Wednesday, saying: "He doesn't quit. He embraces being down 20. For him to be as good as he is at this age is special. He's going to get better and better."
Morant is in his second NBA season and first playoff run. His 73 points in his first two career playoff games are the second-most in NBA history behind only Hall of Famer George Mikan, who totaled 75 points in his first two postseason contests in 1949.
However, that wasn't enough to push the Grizzlies to a 2-0 series lead, as the Jazz were much improved in Game 2 thanks to the return of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who missed Game 1 with an ankle injury.
Mitchell scored a team-high 25 points, while Gobert pitched in 21 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and three assists and was arguably Utah's best player. Mike Conley added 20 points and 15 assists.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year's block on Morant is the play everyone is talking about, but Gobert was a force throughout the game, and he may be the biggest key to Utah winning the series and going on a deep playoff run.
As for the Grizzlies, head coach Taylor Jenkins will need more out of his depth players if Memphis is going to pull off the first-round upset. The Grizzlies' bench scored only 14 points, a big reason why Morant's 47-point effort was squandered.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Donovan Mitchell Calls Ja Morant 'A Hell of a Player' After Grizzlies Star Drops 47
May 27, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MAY 26: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives around Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 26, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was
impressed with Memphis Grizzlies counterpart Ja Morant after Game 2
of the teams' first-round playoff series Wednesday night, calling him "a hell of a player" and saying he respects "the hell out of
his game."
Morant scored 47 points, but it wasn't
quite enough as the Jazz earned a 141-129 win to level the series at
one game apiece:
“Give credit to Ja, he had 50 damn near.”
Spida gives Ja Morant his flowers after dropping 47 🤝
Mitchell, who returned from a five-week absence caused by an ankle sprain, scored 25 points to pace the
Jazz, who shot 54.4 percent from the field and knocked down 19 threes
in the high-scoring victory.
Morant added seven assists and four
rebounds on top of his 47-point effort, but he wasn't in a
celebratory mood despite the standout performance.
"We lost," he told reporters.
"Obviously it wasn't enough."
Perhaps most impressive was the fact
most of his points came while attacking the paint, which is being
protected in this series by Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the likely NBA
Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm not afraid," Morant
said. "I mean, that's his job: to protect the rim. My job when
I'm attacking the rim is to go finish. Obviously, he got a good
block, but as you seen, I was right back inside the paint."
Gobert, who's 7'1'', held a similar
view about his frequent showdowns with the 6'3'' Morant.
"It's what it's about," he
said. "Sometimes I'm going to get dunked on and sometimes I'm
going to get the block. I'm not going to stop coming and doing what I
do. It's the same for him. Hopefully, he doesn't stop coming. I'm
still going to be there every time. That's just the competitive
spirit. I know Ja has that, but I have that, too."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsF2aVNCgBw
It will be a fascinating matchup
throughout the series, and one of the biggest challenges for the Jazz
as a whole will be trying to defend the 2020 Rookie of the Year
without fouling. He went to the free-throw line 20 times in Game 2.
The series now shifts to the FedEx
Forum in Memphis for the next two contests. Game 3 is scheduled for
Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Windhorst: Donovan Mitchell's Relationship with Jazz 'Damaged' After Being Held Out
May 25, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell warms up before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell's relationship with the Utah Jazz is reportedly in a bad place after the team decided to hold him out of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
On Tuesday's episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said the following about where Mitchell and the Jazz stand (beginning at the 16:05 mark):
"I will tell you this, Donovan's relationship with the organization was damaged this week. Is it damaged to the point where it can't be repaired? I'm not saying that. Is it something that they'll get past and he will just move on and it'll be just a blip on the radar screen? Maybe. Maybe they're in the Finals in two months and who cares? Maybe they win the next four games and it's totally forgotten, OK. But right now, Donovan is hurting. He's really hurting the way this happened."
Windhorst's comments came on the heels of Mitchell saying Monday that he was "definitely frustrated and upset" by the team's decision to make him a late scratch before Game 1 due to an ankle injury.
Utah, which posted the NBA's best record this season, went on to lose Game 1 by a score of 112-109 without Mitchell in the lineup.
Per Windhorst and ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Mitchell has been out since April 16 with the injury and began rehabbing with his own personal training staff after the early stages of his recovery moved slowly.
Mitchell said he felt he was "ready to go" for Game 1 and expressed his belief that he "should have played."
The 24-year-old Mitchell added that his frustration and anger stemmed from feeling like he let his teammates down, although it was ultimately the Jazz's medical staff that had the final say.
Mitchell has progressively gotten better for the Jazz since his rookie season in 2017-18.
He has been named an All-Star in each of the past two seasons and set new career highs this season with 26.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Thanks to Mitchell, center Rudy Gobert and a remarkable amount of depth across the board, the Jazz went 52-20 this season, and their .722 winning percentage was their best since going 37-13 in 1998-99.
As referenced by Windhorst, Mitchell and the Jazz could potentially get back on the same page quickly if they go on to win the first-round series against Memphis, but if they lose, there may be a ton of second guessing regarding the medical staff's decision.
Per Spotrac, Mitchell signed a five-year, $163 million contract extension with the Jazz last year, meaning he is under contract through at least the 2024-25 season and has a player option for 2025-26.
Because of that, the Jazz would be under no pressure or obligation to trade Mitchell even if he is disgruntled with the organization.
That means it would behoove both sides to hash things out and come to an understanding, as all signs point to them working together for many years to come.
