2 min read • December 27, 2021
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Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell will stay behind in Utah for the team's 2-game road trip to rest a lower left back strain he suffered on Christmas, the team announced Sunday.
As long as there are no reports of nerve issues, and this remains simply a muscle strain, Mitchell should be able to return soon with the help of physical therapy and modalities to manage the tightness, i.e. heat packs and electrical stimulation.
Mitchell appeared to suffer the injury early in the 1st quarter of the Jazz's 120-116 win, on multiple occasions reaching for his back and attempting to stretch it out on the floor as early as the 10:30 mark. Mitchell received treatment in between the 1st and 2nd quarters, but finished the games, scoring 33 points with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 turnovers over a team-high 35 minutes.
The 25-year-old has previously dealt with minor back problems, missing the final regular season game in 2018-19 with a thoracic spasm. He was able to return for Utah's 5-game series against the Rockets, posting marks of 21.4 points and 4.2 turnovers on 32.1% shooting.
Mitchell has been remarkably available for Utah in his career, up until last spring, when he missed the final 16 games of the regular season before returning for the playoff run.
The Jazz are 23-9 this season, good for 3rd in the West, and Mitchell has posted marks of 25.4/3.8/5 on 45.7% shooting in 31 out of 32 possible games.
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