Donovan Mitchell Returns, Jazz Tie Series With Game 2 Win Over Grizzlies
May 26, 2021, 10:55 PM | Updated: 11:35 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Donovan Mitchell returned from injury and led the Utah Jazz to a Game 2 victory over Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Jazz hosted the Grizzlies at Vivint Arena on Wednesday, May 26.
Utah beat Memphis 141-129 and tied the series at a game apiece. 141 points is a Jazz franchise record for points scored in a playoff game.
Mitchell led the Jazz with 25 points. It was the All-Star’s first game since he suffered an ankle sprain on April 16.
It didn't take Donovan Mitchell long to reintroduce himself to @utahjazz fans. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/nm23sKVeT3
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 27, 2021
Game Flow
Utah owned a 20-point lead at halftime following a 74-point first half.
The Grizzlies bounced back and made it a close game in the second half.
After surrendering 43 points to Memphis in the third quarter, the Jazz went on a 10-0 run that spanned from the end of the third quarter and into the fourth.
Utah opened the final 12 minutes of action on an 18-7 spurt and won the quarter by six points. Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert dominated both ends of the court during the fourth quarter and solidified the Jazz victory.
The Jazz are now 46-2 this season when taking a lead into the final quarter of play.
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Utah Jazz
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The Jazz ended the game shooting 54.4 percent overall and 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. Utah knocked down 19 three-pointers in the win.
Utah is 20-0 this season when shooting 50.0 percent or greater.
All five Jazz starters reached double figures in scoring.
Mitchell scored his team-high 25 points on 8-19 shooting, including 5-10 from distance. He added two rebounds and one steal. Mitchell posted a plus-nine rating during his 26 minutes on the court.
🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️*deep breath*🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ZDUD0rdpNR
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 27, 2021
Gobert was Utah’s second-leading scorer with 21 points on 9-11 field goals. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year recorded 13 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks in 36 minutes.
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Conley was the third Jazzman to surpass 20 points. The veteran guard dropped 20 points on 8-16 shooting on his former squad. Conley dished out 15 assists in 37 minutes.
MIK3 🏔️🏔️🏔️ pic.twitter.com/SyJu2IS2qK
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 27, 2021
Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O’Neale added 18 points and 14 points, respectively.
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Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles combined for 30 points off the bench.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies finished the contest shooting 54.1 percent from the field, including 34.8 percent from downtown.
All five Memphis starters scored in double figures in the loss.
Ja Morant led Memphis with 47 points. He played 43 minutes.
AIR MORANT ✈️ pic.twitter.com/aCV6IjNOYr
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 27, 2021
Dillon Brooks added 23 points.
Up Next
With the win, the Jazz tied the series, 1-1.
Memphis will host Utah for Game 3 of the first round.
The Grizzlies and Jazz will tip-off the next contest in the series on Saturday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on ESPN, AT&T SportsNet, and 97.5 FM.
