By Tyler Keller, Director of Basketball Personnel
Apr 18, 2021

The Utah Jazz currently hold the best record in the NBA, sitting at first place in the tougher Western Conference. Unfortunately, Utah lost their best player Donovan Mitchell to an ankle injury on Friday night against Indiana and will now miss several games. For the first time this season, the Jazz will now be faced with a major blow due to injury, and will be faced with adversity like many of the other Western Contenders have seen.

  • Previously had the longest streak of GP (25) with 110+ PTS since 1982
  • Donovan Mitchell had the most GP (3) of 40+ PTS in a month by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in Jan. 1990
  • Mitchell had the 2nd highest post All-Star scoring average (29.6 PPG) by a Jazz player since Malone (30.5) in 90-91
 
Odds vs. LAL: UTA -105 (Spread +1.0)

HOW UTAH OVERCOMES THIS ADVERSITY IS A TRUE TEST OF THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP CHANCES

COLORS KEY | FULL JAZZ OUTLOOK 

A large part of Utah’s success comes from the fact that they’ve had minimal injury problems all year long. With Mitchell out for at least several games, the Jazz will have to perform at their best to keep their impressive record. This time period without Mitchell will be a true test to how great Utah really is, and will challenge players like Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdonavic, and Jordan Clarkson to step up. 

The LA Clippers have played multiple games without Kawhi Leonard and/or Paul George, the LA Lakers have gone without players Lebron James and Anthony Davis, Denver is now missing Jamal Murray, and Portland has been without CJ McCollum for a while this season. Utah now joins the list of Western contenders with injury problems, and will have to showcase why they deserve the best record in the NBA.

  • Donovan Mitchell suffers ankle injury

  • Full Jazz-Lakers game highlights

 

 

 

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