Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert bookend Utah Jazz’s hard-fought Game 2 victory over Grizzlies
The guard’s triumphant return and hot start and the center’s dominant finish define Wednesday night’s nerve-fraying 141-129 win over Memphis, which ties their first-round playoff series 1-1.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) looks toward Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), as he reacts after hitting a 3-point shot, extending the Jazz lead in the last minute of play, as the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pumps his fist as he walks to the locker room, after the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz fans celebrate at the buzzer, as the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) looks for a shot, as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0) defend, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12), in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) removes his warm up jacket as he prepares to play in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) looks for a shot, as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0) defend, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gets by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) to score, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) takes the ball to the hoop, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah forward Georges Niang (31) reacts after hitting a big 3-point shot for the Jazz in the 4th quarter, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after hitting his first shot of the night, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is called for a personal foul as makes contact with Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23), in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) reacts after hitting a big 3-pointer, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) has a few words with referee James Williams (60), in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Utah Jazz fans line up outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Rob and Jan Boardman, of Bluffdale, hold hands as they walk towards the entrance of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Mariyanne Rofaiel poses with her three children, Michael, 13, Matthew, 8, and Victoria, 10, outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Emily Lopez, a Suns fan, has her photo taken by her friend Dusty Jorgenson outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Austin Armijo, of Salt Lake City, and Melissa Bouttavong, of Kearns, sit close outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
The couple have been dating for two years and this is the second Jazz game they have been to this season. The first game was on Valentines Day.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Cooper Tweet, 9, of Riverton, looks up before he has his photograph taken outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. It was Cooper’s birthday and first Jazz game of the season.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Members of Millennium Dance Complex SLC huddle up and discuss their intentions tbefore dancing outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots, as Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defend, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots, as Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defend, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Briana Scroggins | Special to The Tribune) Emily Lopez, a Suns fan, has her photo taken by her friend Dusty Jorgenson outside of Vivint Smart Home Arena before the Jazz play the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots baskets during warm ups, before NBA Playoff game 2 between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) reacts after hitting a 3-point-shot, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) takes the ball to the ihoop, as Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen (3) defend, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is guarded by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12), in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) takes the ball inside, as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) defends, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts after being called for a technical foul, in NBA Playoff game 2, between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pumps his fist as he walks to the locker room, after the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) looks toward Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), as he reacts after hitting a 3-point shot, extending the Jazz lead in the last minute of play, as the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) shares a laugh with Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10), during a break in the action, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) reaches through to try to steal the ball, as Utah guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes on to score for the Jazz, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot, in the 4th quarter, as the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gets by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) to score, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) hits the ground as he grabs a rebound, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies, at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) shares a laugh with Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10), during a break in the action, in game 2 of NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot, in the 4th quarter, as the Jazz defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 141-129, in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Vivint Arena, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
There were some tense moments there for a while.
For a few nervous minutes in the third quarter Wednesday night — well, and the fourth too, if we’re being honest — it was looking like even the return of one Donovan Mitchell might not be enough to save the top-seeded Utah Jazz from a soul-crushing 0-2 deficit in their first-round playoff series.
Deep breaths, everybody.
Despite the frayed nerves all around, in the end, the Jazz did just enough — juuuuuuuust enough — to scratch and claw their way to a 141-129 series-evening victory at Vivint Arena. Had Utah dropped the first two games on its home court, their championship aspirations might well have been on the verge of being dashed embarrassingly early.
Mitchell’s start and Rudy Gobert’s finish proved perfect bookends to Utah’s first 2021 postseason victory.
The All-Star guard, playing his first game since spraining his ankle on April 16, and coming off Sunday’s drama when he was inexplicably held out, ignited both his team and the Viv crowd early by burying a nothing-but-net 3 on his first shot attempt.
He’d score 12 points in the opening quarter as the Jazz surged ahead, and despite being put on a minutes restriction, wound up with 25 for the game — including a pair of crucial 3-pointers down the stretch — in 26 minutes of action.
He conceded that he had to give himself on-court pep talks to keep from exploding out of the gates and expending all his energy early.
“It really started with me before the game. I’m a competitor, I know myself. There are times where I got sped up. I had a moment where I think I ran into Royce and turned it over. Understanding that, you’re just talking to yourself,” Mitchell said. “I’ve never been in this position before, so it’s uncharted territory, so I had to find a way to just relax myself. It’s easy to go out there and try and hit a home run to start the game, but the game’s not won in the first five minutes, you know what I mean?”
Coach Quin Snyder said that given the circumstances, and the natural inclination to try and impose his will on the action, to prove a point, Mitchell’s restraint was all the more impressive.
“Well, any time you’ve been out for a long period of time, there’s a tendency to try to really put a stamp on the game. And I thought he really let the game come to him. He was patient. He got a few catch-and-shoot 3s early where he got good looks, got off the ball, and kind of made a simple play,” Snyder said. “And then I think as the game went on, you saw him attacking the basket more — but he really played within himself. I thought he just made the right plays. And obviously it’s good to have him back. It certainly changes our team.”
The team changed yet more still in a dreadful third quarter, though.
The game’s momentum was swinging the Grizzlies’ way; the Jazz were in danger of dropping the two opening playoff games on their own home court.
Gobert wouldn’t allow it to happen.
He began the fourth-quarter scoring with a dunk off an assist from Mike Conley. He challenged a Dillon Brooks midrange floater, then half a minute later, dunked again off another feed from Conley. He then blocked a Jaren Jackson Jr. jumper, sparking a fast-break by Mitchell that produced a layup-and-one. Seven-point spurt, 13-point advantage, heart rates back to normal.
“We weren’t executing the way that we needed to, and I think Rudy made some adjustments individually where he was able to put himself in the play more and be more impactful,” said Snyder. “And that’s something that he’s always trying to feel.”
“I just tried to do what I do — protect the basket, just pretty much play off my instincts,” Gobert said. “I know that he’s really athletic, so if I’m late, it’s a little bit harder for me — so I gotta anticipate and try to time it. And you know, if he makes it, [expletive] it — I’ve just got to be there and try to make it difficult.”
That certainly is a vibe.
So too was the game-ops crew blasting Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” — Jordan Clarkson’s hand-picked team anthem — as the Jazz left the court.