Oklahoma City • The Jazz will regain the services of one of their starting five, but lose another.
They will be without the services of their dynamic rookie, Donovan Mitchell, at least for Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Meanwhile, Derrick Favors has cleared concussion protocol and is probable for tonight’s game.
Mitchell will miss the first game of his career because of a toe contusion.
Jazz at Thunder<br>When • Wednesday, 6 p.m. MST<br>TV • ATTSN
Without Mitchell, the Jazz will be missing 17.7 points per game, which leads the team. In his stead, Utah shooting guard Rodney Hood could move into the starting lineup. He averages 17.6 points per game and is coming off a 26 point performance against the Houston Rockets.
The Jazz could also opt to put Alec Burks, or even Royce O’Neale into the starting lineup, in order to keep Hood the leader of a potent second unit. Either way, the Jazz will be shorthanded without Mitchell, his scoring prowess and his sheer athleticism.
Favors will return to the lineup, following a concussion sustained because of a Jaylen Brown elbow last Friday night against the Boston Celtics. He will likely start at the center spot, with Rudy Gobert out due to a knee sprain. Raul Neto remains out with a concussion.
The Jazz have lost six of their last seven games, including four of five on their current road trip, which ends against the Thunder. The Jazz and the Thunder will conclude their season series this week when OKC visits Vivint Smart Home Arena Saturday night.
