Report: Jazz Star Donovan Mitchell Sees Specialist for Ongoing Concussion Symptoms
Feb 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on before a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 26, 2022 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 star guard Donovan Mitchell reportedly saw a specialist about his ongoing concussion symptoms that have kept him off the court for the past two weeks, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
Mitchell has been in the concussion protocol after suffering it in a Jan. 17 game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This is the play where Donovan Mitchell was hurt last night, leading to him being in the concussion protocol and out for the Jazz's game against the Rockets tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Eb2Fd3niyi
Neither Mitchell or Rudy Gobert (calf strain) practiced on Tuesday. Gobert last played on Jan. 23.
January in general was a brutal month for the Jazz. The team went 4-12, has lost five in a row, is dealing with injuries to Mitchell and Gobert and will be without Joe Ingles for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL this week.
Head coach Quin Snyder and Danuel House Jr. are also in the league's health and safety protocols.
"It's like we can’t catch a break," Rudy Gay told reporters after Sunday's 126-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "We've had a lot of things going on. We're just trying to survive."
Suddenly, the Jazz (30-21) went from competing for the top seed in the Western Conference to dropping to fourth, a whopping 11 games behind the Phoenix Suns (40-9).
"I told the guys, we can feel sorry for ourselves and there are plenty of excuses that we can point to," acting head coach Alex Jensen told reporters. "But we can also use this to come together and to get better."
Being without Mitchell is tough for the Jazz to overcome, however.
The 25-year-old is yet again putting up elite numbers, averaging 25.5 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three. The Jazz outscore opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the court, per NBA.com, but that number drops to 3.0 points per 100 possessions when he sits.
The Jazz are a different team without both Mitchell and Gobert. They have an excellent net rating of 14.6 when the pair are on the court together. Neither player is replaceable in Utah.
And until they are both healthy, the Jazz's slide will likely continue.
Knicks 'a 1st-round Exit From' Landing Jazz Star Donovan Mitchell, Says NBA Scout
Jan 27, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on before a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 26, 2022 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)
Donovan Mitchell is under contract for at least the next three seasons in Utah, but that isn't stopping speculation he may attempt to force a trade to the New York Knicks.
"They’re a first-round exit from Donovan being in New York," an Eastern Conference scout told Ric Bucher of Fox Sports.
The Jazz have been one of the NBA's biggest playoff disappointments in recent seasons, failing to get past the second round during the Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era. The relationship between the two Utah stars has also been the source of constant speculation since Gobert's actions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the two players mended fences and grew closer last season, signs of discord again reared up this month when Gobert made public comments about teammates not playing winning basketball.
“When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead of us in terms of winning habits,” Gobert told reporters earlier this month. “They take every game personally. Devin Booker is playing his ass off defensively. I’ve been watching him compared to two years ago.
“Guys like that, they buy in. You can tell they take pride in playing defense, stopping their man, doing whatever they can defensively to stop the other team and be a part of a winning culture. I think we’re not there yet, but I think we’re gonna get there.”
Mitchell liked a tweet that speculated Gobert's comments were a "subtweet" of the All-Star guard. When asked about why he liked the tweet, Mitchell offered a terse answer that did little to quell concern over potential beef between the two stars.
Mitchell is in the first year of a five-year max contract that takes him through at least the 2024-25 season. Gobert is also under contract through 2024-25. The only way a breakup between the pair happens in the foreseeable future is if someone tries forcing their way out via trade.
The Knicks, who have clawed their way back to relevancy the last two seasons under Tom Thibodeau, are bound to be at the center of trade speculation regarding stars in the upcoming months. Julius Randle's star has dimmed after an All-NBA breakout in 2020-21, making it clear the team will need to acquire a true 1A superstar to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Mitchell is arguably not that guy himself—he's never made an All-NBA team—but he may wind up being the most available if things start going south in Utah.
Report: Jazz Hope Donovan Mitchell Will Return from Concussion During Weekend
Jan 27, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are reportedly hopeful that star guard Donovan Mitchell can return from a concussion over the weekend, per The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.
Mitchell suffered the injury in the first quarter of a 101-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 17. He's missed the team's last four games, with the Jazz going 1-3 in that stretch.
This is the play where Donovan Mitchell was hurt last night, leading to him being in the concussion protocol and out for the Jazz's game against the Rockets tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Eb2Fd3niyi
As for upcoming games, the Jazz host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and have road games against the Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET on Friday) and Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET on Sunday) coming up this weekend.
On Tuesday, the Jazz ruled out both Mitchell and Rudy Gobert for Wednesday's matchup with the Suns. Gobert is dealing with a calf strain.
Mitchell, 25, is having another excellent year for the Jazz, averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 assists, four rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45 percent from the field, though he's also shooting a career-low 33.9 percent from three.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are 30-18 and currently fourth in the Western Conference, already eight games behind the Suns (37-9) for the top seed.
Being without the two-time All-Star is obviously hardly ideal for the Jazz, especially against tough opponents like the to pick up the slack in his absence.
NBA Trade Rumors: Jazz's Joe Ingles Mentioned in Talks Since 2021 NBA Draft
Dec 29, 2021
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 27, 2021 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)
If the Utah Jazz are going to upgrade the roster around star Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert, don't be surprised if veteran wing Joe Ingles is in the outgoing trade package.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported "Ingles' name has come up since the draft in trade talks, according to rival executives I've spoken to. It's unclear who's initiating that, but his name has been brought up. You have to wonder if the trade talks have gotten to him because he's having a down season compared to last year."
Ingles, 34, has spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Jazz, providing the team with excellent playmaking, defense and perimeter shooting. For his career, he's averaged 8.7 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 41.3 percent from three.
But he's having something a down year for the Jazz this season, averaging 8.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 38.9 percent from three in 33 games (seven starts). Hardly shabby numbers compared to his career averages, but well below the 12.1 points, 4.7 assists and 45.1 percent from three he averaged last season.
He also started more regularly last season (30 of 67 appearances), though the Jazz have largely rolled out a starting group of Mitchell, Gobert, Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O'Neale this year, which isn't likely to change anytime soon. That starting group is outscoring opponents by 11.8 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com, across a sample size of 412 minutes.
So there isn't much incentive for the 24-9 Jazz to mess with a good thing when it comes to their starting 5.
Another factor to consider is that Ingles will be a free agent after the season, and it might be tough for the Jazz to bring him back unless he's willing to take a pay cut from the $12.4 million he's making this year.
The team currently has $143.2 million already on the books for the 2022-23 season, per Spotrac, with players like Gobert ($38.1 million), Mitchell ($30.3 million), Conley ($22.6 million), Bogdanovic ($19.3 million), Jordan Clarkson ($13.3 million) and O'Neale ($9.2 million) carrying significant cap hits.
So Ingles may be able to get a bigger offer elsewhere than the Jazz will be able to make. The end of his time in Utah might be on the horizon, trade or not.
It would be a big loss, no doubt—Ingles is a respected veteran who has contributed in a lot of different ways for the Jazz during his career. But if the Jazz are in the market for a bigger fish, Ingles would make sense as one of the outgoing pieces.
Donovan Mitchell Out for Jazz's Next 2 Games with Back Injury Diagnosed as Strain
Dec 26, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court in the second half during an NBA basketball game against then Sacramento Kings Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell will miss his team's upcoming road trip because of a lower back strain, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
That means he will not take the floor against the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.
Through 31 games this season, Mitchell has averaged 25.4 points, 5.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
The 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Mitchell is one of the best young guards in the league. He has averaged at least 20 points in each of his four seasons, posting a career high of 26.4 in 2020-21. The Louisville product was named an All-Star in each of the last two seasons.
It is Mitchell's second consecutive season with an injury, as an ankle sprain sidelined him for the final 16 games last year before he returned in the postseason.
With Mitchell sidelined, Utah is without its floor general and top scoring option. Veteran point guard Mike Conley will take the bulk of the ball-handling duties. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and swingman Joe Ingles are likely to see more playing time in Mitchell's absence.
The Jazz have five players who average double-digit points, but Mitchell is the only one of them to average over 20. Utah will have to rely on multiple players to replace Mitchell's scoring production.
Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Defeat Mavericks on Christmas with Luka Doncic Out
Dec 26, 2021
Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) drives against Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Utah Jazz extended their winning streak to three games with a 120-116 win over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Arena on Saturday night. They are 23-9 and keeping pace with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns for the top spot in the Western Conference.
It was a rather easy win for the Jazz, as the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Trey Burke, Maxi Kleber and several others because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
This season, Mitchell has been on a tear, and his incredible run continued on Saturday night against the Mavericks. The 25-year-old notched at least 20 points for the 13th straight game and recorded his ninth 30-plus point game of the season.
Mitchell and the Jazz were in a back-and-forth battle with the Mavericks for most of the night, but he helped the team pull away in the fourth quarter.
Much of Utah's offensive success can be attributed to Mitchell, who entered Saturday averaging 25.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
The Jazz offense also entered averaging 115.8 points per game, per NBA.com, which is the best in the league. The Charlotte Hornets are second with 114.9 points per game, but their offense isn't comparable.
Mitchell's exploits have allowed other players to find more offensive success, including Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert. Conley had 22 points against the Mavericks, while Bogdanovic finished with 25 points and Gobert with 10 points.
Bogdanovic ranks second on the team in points per game, while Gobert, who is often considered a defensive stalwart, ranks third in that category.
The Quin Snyder-led Jazz teams have all been built on defense, but with the offensive success of Mitchell, coupled with supplemental scorers in Bogdanovic, Conley and Gobert, Utah has changed that narrative.
However, it should also be noted that the Jazz are still one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. They entered with the sixth-best defensive rating at 106.7, per NBA.com. So while the offense is firing on all cylinders, the Jazz appear to be one of the more complete teams in the league.
Kristaps Porzingis' Effort Not Enough for Shorthanded Mavs
Although Porzingis finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks, his effort was not enough as the Mavericks couldn't keep pace with the high-flying Jazz.
Prozingis had missed Dallas' last two games with toe soreness, but the time off only appeared to have helped him as he finished his last game with 13 points, three rebounds and one assist against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But while Porzingis was solid against the Jazz, he is far removed from the player he once was with the New York Knicks, which has resulted in trade rumors surrounding the Latvian.
The Mavericks hoped Porzingis would create a dynamic one-two punch alongside Doncic after signing him to a five-year, $158 million deal in the summer of 2019, but he hasn't lived up to that deal.
The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career and also entered Saturday averaging 19.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Saturday's game also emphasized the fact that Porzingis can't carry the Dallas offense. If Doncic and the Mavericks are going to win a championship, it's clear the team will need to add another piece.
In addition to Porzingis, Jalen Brunson was also impressive against Utah, finishing with 27 points, two rebounds and six assists, though he also can't solely carry the Mavericks. Aside from Porzingis and Brunson, most of the team struggled, which doesn't come as a surprise given all the absences because of COVID-19 protocols.
However, it should be noted that Dallas has had one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season, entering averaging 104.4 points per game. The team has also been particularly ineffective from deep, shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Mavs shot 32.3 percent from deep against the Jazz.
What's Next?
The Jazz will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, while the Mavericks will travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers that same night.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert Power Jazz to Big Win vs. Clippers
Dec 16, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Utah Jazz kept their win streak alive Wednesday, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 124-103 at home for their eighth consecutive victory. Donovan Mitchell was one of four 20-point scorers, finishing with a team-high 27 points as Utah improved to 20-7.
Jordan Clarkson had 21 points off the bench. Bojan Bogdanovic added 20, and Rudy Gobert notched a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds.
In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, the Jazz were able to get some revenge after the Clippers eliminated them from the playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals last season. It was also the beginning of a six-game homestand for Utah.
Los Angeles fell to 16-13 and had its four-game win streak snapped. Marcus Morris Sr. had 24 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Eric Bledsoe had 21 points and eight assists off the bench.
Clippers star forward Paul George, who missed the previous three games with an elbow injury, sat out again Wednesday.
Notable Player Stats
G Donovan Mitchell, UTAH: 27 points
G Jordan Clarkson, UTAH: 21 points (off bench)
C Rudy Gobert, UTAH: 20 points, 17 rebounds
F Bojan Bogdanovic, UTAH: 20 points (6-of-7 3-pt FG)
F Marcus Morris Sr., LAC: 24 points, 8 rebounds
G Eric Bledsoe, LAC: 21 points, 8 assists (off bench)
Jazz's Balanced Attack Keys Victory
Utah is one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and Wednesday's game was indicative of just that. Multiple players were key contributors to the team's win.
Clarkson, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, sparked the team off the bench, scoring 14 of his 21 points in the first half to help erase an early seven-point deficit.
Bogdanovic hit his first four three-pointers for 12 first-half points. Gobert matched his first-half total and also did a great job protecting the rim, as usual.
Jazz up 65-59 on the Clippers at the half. Talk about rim protection: the Clippers had ONE layup all half long. 1/5 from within 4 feet of the court. Hot shooting from outside keeping them in it, though.
With the supporting cast playing strong early on, Mitchell was able to take over down the stretch. He scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half with 13 coming in the third quarter alone.
When the Clippers got within single digits of the lead in the fourth quarter, the Jazz didn't flinch and used an 18-6 run to put the game away.
Absolutely showtime from the Jazz to finish this one. The Mitchell passing, the Bogdanovic shooting, the Gobert putback dunk and no-look pass... Jazz up 22 on the bewildered Clippers.
After a 6-5 start to the season, Utah has looked like the team that finished with the best record in the Western Conference last year during this win streak. The Jazz are the hottest team in the league, and it's going to take a strong effort on both ends to cool them off.
Short-Handed Clippers Can't Keep Up with Jazz
Los Angeles should be credited for showing some fight early in Wednesday's game. But without George, there just wasn't a player on the floor capable of carrying the team.
Along with Bledsoe and Morris, Luke Kennard helped keep the Clippers afloat in the early going.
The Clippers had jumped out to a seven-point lead nearly midway through the second quarter, but Utah eventually woke up. The Jazz ended on a 25-12 run to take a 65-59 lead going into halftime.
Los Angeles played hard and did its best to keep the game competitive, but Utah pulled away in the second half and never looked back. The Clippers, to their credit, continued to try to claw their way into the game and cut the lead to single digits, but it just wasn't enough.
The Clippers were facing one of the most complete teams in the NBA as the Jazz are one of two teams in the league to rank in the top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Wednesday's game would've been tough for Los Angeles even if George was in the lineup, but without him the team was facing a daunting challenge.
Once Los Angeles is back at full strength, the team will have better luck competing with the top teams in the Western Conference.
What's Next?
The Jazz will go for their ninth straight win on Friday when the San Antonio Spurs come to town. The Clippers will look to bounce back on Saturday in a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Donovan Mitchell Drops 22 as Jazz Beat 76ers with Joel Embiid Playing Through Injury
Dec 10, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 9: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers on December 9, 2021 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell finally cooled off some on Thursday night. No biggie—the rest of the Utah Jazz picked up the slack.
Led by eight players scoring double-digit points, the Jazz beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-96.
Mitchell came into the game en fuego, with 30 or more points in four straight games. While he couldn't keep that streak going, he and the Jazz outdueled Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid, who has been excellent since returning from a three-week COVID-19 absence in mid-November but left Thursday's game late in the third quarter with abdominal pain.
By the time he returned with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Sixers found themselves in a 16-point hole, a deficit they wouldn't overcome.
The result bumped the Jazz up to 18-7 on the season, while Philly fell to 14-12.
Key Stats
Donovan Mitchell, Utah: 22 points, six assists
Rudy Gobert, Utah: 17 points, 21 rebounds, two blocks
Mike Conley, Utah: 10 points, four assists
Joel Embiid, PHI: 19 points, nine rebounds, three steals
Tobias Harris, PHI: 17 points, seven rebounds
Seth Curry, PHI: 18 points, four assists
The Sixers Can't Seem To Catch A Break
Ben Simmons wants to be traded and hasn't played a game for the team thus far this season. Countless players have missed time due to injuries or the NBA's health and safety protocols. Both Tyrese Maxey and Embiid temporarily left Thursday's game with knocks.
Joel Embiid sees Bassey coming to the scorer's table, takes a foul and gets a technical for his trouble. His night is done.
Sixers have been completely outclassed tonight but obviously Embiid's health is the biggest concern moving forward.
The Jazz lead Philly 94-78….the Sixers don’t really have the shooting or the playmaking to survive for long with Embiid off the floor, and the Jazz rotation is so deep with both that they are creating a ton of separation. 9:53 remaining
The Sixers have struggled to maintain any positive momentum this season given all of those adversities, and in many ways the loss to the Jazz felt like a microcosm of their season as a whole.
Granted, it didn't help that they shot 6-of-33 (18.2 percent) from three.
So long as they have Embiid, the Sixers are a threat. But their margin for error is razor-thin, especially while the Simmons ordeal remains unresolved. Against the league's top teams like the Jazz, that becomes more obvious.
Utah's Balance And Depth Continues To Be A Strength
Joe Ingles, Rudy Gay, Jordan Clarkson and Hassan Whiteside came off the bench and combined for 46 points. Utah held a 48-31 advantage in bench points. Four starters scored in double digits.
There’s just nowhere to hide bad defenders against the Jazz….
You don't need Mitchell to play like a superhero when the supporting cast shows up like that.
While the Sixers struggled to hit their perimeter shots, the Jazz finished 15-of-40 (37.5 percent) from deep. They played excellent team basketball, with 22 assists. This was quality, efficient basketball, the type coaches love.
The Jazz's lack of a second true superstar next to Mitchell tends to hurt them come the postseason. But there's no doubt that their depth and balance make them a threat to compete for the top seed yet again.
What's Next?
Utah travels to Washington, D.C., to face the Wizards on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, while the Sixers host the Golden State Warriors that same day at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Myles Turner, Joe Ingles Fined for Jazz-Pacers Scuffle
Nov 13, 2021
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, get into a fight in the second half, resulting in ejections for both players, during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, forward Joe Ingles, guard Donovan Mitchell and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner have been fined following an altercation during Thursday's game at Vivint Arena, the NBA announced Friday.
Gobert was fined $35,000, Ingles $30,000, Turner $25,000 and Mitchell $20,000.
The altercation began when Turner blocked Gobert's shot with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of a 111-100 Pacers win. As Gobert fell to the court, he appeared to grab Turner's shorts, which caused him to fall.
Turner then chased down Gobert and shoved him, and he charged back at Turner. Members of both teams got involved as Gobert and Turner had to be separated.
Things got heated between Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert after Turner blocked Gobert's shot. pic.twitter.com/O34Z7gckwC
After officials reviewed the altercation, both Gobert and Turner received technical fouls and were ejected. Ingles, who appeared to shove an official during the altercation, and Mitchell, who also appeared to make contact with an official, were also tossed from the game.
Gobert addressed the situation after the loss, telling reporters: "Twenty years ago, they would let you fight a little more. I can't put myself in a position where I'm hurting my team. I've got more to lose. I've gotta stand up for myself, but I'm not going to get suspended."
Mitchell, however, expressed more frustration with the officials, telling reporters the referees should've taken control of the game earlier:
"That shouldn't have happened. It isn't nothing else, just built-up frustration. I'm not going to put the fact that we lost the game on this. ... That should have been taken care of in the first half. We're being held accountable for our actions, they've got to as well."
The incident occurred just two days after Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic was suspended for one game for "forcefully shoving" Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris on Monday. Morris also received a $50,000 fine.
Thursday's loss dropped the Jazz to 8-4 on the season, while the Pacers moved to 5-8.
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Myles Turner Ejected After Pacers vs. Jazz Altercation
Nov 12, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz fights for the ball with Chris Duarte #3 of the Indiana Pacers during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 11, 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)
A tussle between Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner led to four players being ejected Thursday evening.
Gobert and Turner got into it underneath the Pacers' basket in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena.
Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz were also ejected. Ingles got in Turner's face and made contact with an official, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
An animated Mitchell had to be held back by security and officials in the scrum that followed.
Gobert and Myles Turner get into a legit scuffle with no punches thrown. Mitchell is going at someone. Teams separated. This is just frustration from the Jazz…..tough day and night for them as a team
Per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder also had to be restrained by security during referee Ed Malloy's review.
The television broadcast initially cut away from the first part of the Turner-Gobert fight as the game action moved to the other end, but Rob Perez of Underdog Fantasy and Michael Gallagher of Establish the Run both showed clips of how the fracas unfolded.
Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune provided more insight:
Rudy Gobert and Myles Turner going at it. Pacers bench was incensed that Rudy took Turner down, Turner came up with a shove. Rudy starts a wrestling match. Big scrum ensues.
