Donovan Mitchell has announced that he will play Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. The jazz star was diagnosed with a bruised quadriceps on Tuesday.
“I’m fine,” the 25-year-old said on Wednesday. “I will be ready.” While he still has pain in his thigh injury, he left no doubt as to his availability for the should-win game of the Jazz, who are 2-3 down in the first-round series against the Mavs. On Tuesday, the Jazz announced that an MRI – Examination gave a slight all-clear regarding Mitchell’s injury, so no major damage to the thigh could be found.
After a disappointing performance (9 points, 4/15 FG and 4 turnovers, -38), Mitchell limped off the courtroom in the fourth quarter of the blowout loss in Game 5 against Dallas after a thigh shut on a drive. Immediately after the end of the game, however, he announced that he would bite his teeth: “It’s the playoffs, so I have to find a way. We’ll see how I feel, but I’m a fighter.” Mitchell averages a 26.0 point professional game in the series against Dallas, but he’s only hitting 37.9 percent from the field and 19.5 percent off the distance. Mitchell also attributed this to the strong protection of the Mavs. “Credit to Dorian Finney-Smith,” Mitchell said. “It wasn’t the best game of my career or the playoffs. They don’t make it easy for me.”NBA Playoffs – Mavericks vs. Jazz: The Series at a Glance (3-2)GameDateTimeHomeAwayScore116. April 7 p.m. Dallas Mavericks Utah Jazz 93: 99219. April 2:30 Dallas Mavericks Utah Jazz 110:104322. April 3 p.m. Utah Jazz Dallas Mavericks 118:126423. April 10:30 p.m. Utah Jazz Dallas Mavericks 100: 99526. April 3:30 a.m. Dallas Mavericks Utah Jazz 102:77629. April4amUtah JazzDallas Mavericks-7*1. MaiTBDDallas MavericksUtah Jazz-*if necessary
