Jazz star Donovan Mitchell exits with sprained right ankle

‘Like with any player who is out, we'll miss him but you try to figure out ways to play well and win, regardless of who is available,’ says Jazz coach Quin Snyder

Utah Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell departed Friday afternoon’s game against the visiting Indiana Pacers due to a sprained right ankle.

Mitchell was helped off the court by teammates less than four minutes into the third quarter and was clearly favoring the ankle.

X-rays were negative. The Jazz indicated that Mitchell was slated to undergo an MRI exam Friday night, April 16 (Saturday, April 17, Manila time).

“We hope there’s nothing serious, but they’re in the process of doing everything they can to assess that,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said shortly after Utah’s 119-111 victory.

Mitchell was injured after leaping in an attempt to hinder a pass and landing awkwardly. He immediately reached for his lower right leg.

Mitchell scored 22 points in 21 minutes before exiting. He entered the contest ranked ninth in the NBA with a 26.5 scoring average for the league-leading Jazz (42-14).

“Donovan is such a big part of what we do,” Snyder said. “Like with any player who is out, we’ll miss him but you try to figure out ways to play well and win, regardless of who is available. Those things are going to happen.”

Mitchell declined to speak with reporters following the game.

– Rappler.com