Dear NBA, give Donovan Mitchell the Rookie of the Year trophy already.
With starting point guard Ricky Rubio going out with an injury in the first quarter, the rookie sensation went toe-to-toe with OKC’s Russell Westbrook to lead the Jazz past the Thunder with a 96-91 victory Friday night at Vivint Arena.
Mitchell scored a career-playoff high 38 points to lead the Jazz to the Western Conference semifinals for the second year in a row.
?| Game 6 highlights (and ooooh boy, were there highlights)#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/5aSw5dHLwS
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 28, 2018
Westbrook had a game-high 46 points to lead the Thunder but was just 18 of 43 from field. Steven Adams had his best game in the series for OKC as he added 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Westbrook and Mitchell went back and forth in the second half, with Mitchell starting the second half with 15 points going 6-for-6 from the field to give the Jazz a double-digit lead.
Derrick Favors scored 13 points and Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz. The Jazz took their biggest lead when Gobert hit two free throws to make it 86-73 with just over seven minutes to go in the game.
Donovan Mitchell is on ???#NBAPlayoffs #NBA #TakeNote #UtahJazz pic.twitter.com/BUe8zINwSW
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) April 28, 2018
Westbrook then drained a 3-pointer to cap a 18-6 run to pull OKC to 92-91 with just over a minute to play. Favors then hit a jumper for the Jazz and OKC couldn’t buy a bucket despite grabbing five offensive rebounds on one possession.
Mitchell then ran down the court before getting fouled as the crowd chanted his name. Chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP!” filled Vivint Arena after the game as Mitchell hugged his teammates and coaches.
Here are the best reactions on Twitter:
Donovan Mitchell becomes the 4th rookie in NBA history to notch 35+ points in a playoff series-clinching win. With his 38 points tonight, only Wilt Chamberlain (53 points), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (46 points), and Magic Johnson (42 points) have recorded more. #NBAPlayoffs #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/DSdA1ilZdy
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 28, 2018
The Utah Jazz are moving on. #TakeNote #UtahJazz #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vjvdzksTMr
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) April 28, 2018
.@spidadmitchell respect the Roy
— kuz (@kylekuzma) April 28, 2018
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 28, 2018
First boss of the Trio down, 2 to go. #Utahjazz #jazz
?⛰??
1. @russwest44 ❌
2. @JHarden13 ?
3. @KDTrey5 ? pic.twitter.com/1uohcGn011— Tzar Kahrnijj (@Kahrnijj) April 28, 2018
That's one happy/proud man. pic.twitter.com/aw6OPu0Aes
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 28, 2018
“I’m so proud of you.”
Donovan Mitchell’s mother approves of his series-clinching performance. #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/nV25XS1Cue
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2018
Ok, this one is my favorite ? pic.twitter.com/NHpL8BTfiE
— Kent Fairbourn (@KentFairbourn) April 28, 2018
Carmelo Anthony was M.I.A. in the 4th Quarter this series against the Jazz…
Game 1: 4 Points
Game 2: 0 Points
Game 3: 0 Points
Game 4: 0 Points
Game 5: 0 Points
Game 6: 0 Points pic.twitter.com/U0hJmXiPSt— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 28, 2018
Okay Will Chamberlain was a beast but really @spidadmitchell couldn't even outscore some no name Lee Alcindor who's name isn't even in the #nba record books overrated Gunner #Jazz #UtahJazz #UTAvsOKC #OKCvsUTA #ThunderUp #NBAPlayoffs #espn #okcthunder pic.twitter.com/DyG48u0gdE
— Trollingalong (@Trollingalong7) April 28, 2018
What is Russell Westbrook doing? ? #Salty #TakeNote #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2Wgzdxfjml
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) April 28, 2018
DONOVAN MITCHELL IS ACTUALLY ON FIRE pic.twitter.com/tDGmEfArrj
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 28, 2018
Donovan Mitchell keeps his promise… #Takenote #UtahJazz #NBA https://t.co/zUBApjnpT0
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) April 28, 2018
