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After a breakneck finish, the Utah Jazz lost a heartbreaking Game 7 to the Denver Nuggets, 80-78.
After an incredible steal by Gary Harris that led to a breakneck finish that ended with a missed Mike Conley three, Donovan Mitchell collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell share a moment after an emotional loss for the Jazz pic.twitter.com/2H4lTlXMN7
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 2, 2020
All series Mitchell and Jamal Murray went toe to toe. Walking off the court the heartbreak was visible with Mitchell.
joe walking him out like an older brother pic.twitter.com/kxh5AxCUbQ
— Taylor Griffin (@griffdunk) September 2, 2020
After the game, Mitchell spoke about what he was feeling.
Asked Donovan Mitchell the emotions he was feeling while on the ground after the loss. pic.twitter.com/RkqYQZSOO6
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 2, 2020
Nikola Jokic was solid all series but hit the biggest shot of the game with a rainbow hookshot over Rudy Gobert. All series Jokic was a force and even though Rudy Gobert was able to guard him well this series, and had some incredible defense in the second half of this game, Jokic ended up getting the best of him when everything was on the line.
Game 7’s prove who is out there to win and who is chanting 1,2,3 Cancun. Mitchell gave everything he had this entire series and willed the Jazz to a comeback in the second half. It’s a shame because there were so many chances this series to put the Nuggets away before this game.
For Jazz fans, that’s the biggest takeaway. Donovan Mitchell is the guy you can always count on to give everything, and who you should build around from here on out.
There were players on the floor that had questionable effort in games 5, 6 and the first half of 7. To be fair, some of it’s warranted. Players have been in the bubble for a long time missing family. NBA fans have been asking probably too much of them to entertain us with basketball. We should feel some consolation knowing those players get to be with their loved ones again.
But one thing is for sure, this loss will haunt Donovan Mitchell more than anyone else on this team. And that’s what you want in all of your guys. You want the guy that it doesn’t matter if it’s a plane ride poker game, a random game of Call of Duty, or Game 7 of the NBA playoffs, that guy will leave everything out there.
The Jazz are lucky to have a player on their team like that in Donovan Mitchell.
It’s now time to hand him all the reigns to this thing. Give him his max and get him players that enhance his skillset and the chance to win.
Just like Donovan Mitchell said, “this is only the beginning.”