Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz star Donovan Mitchell: Elimination will 'eat at me for a long time'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/19/21

It still doesn't feel real for Donovan Mitchell.

The 24-year-old had a rough time processing the Utah Jazz's playoff elimination in the aftermath of their Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Donovan Mitchell: "It hasn't fully sunk in for me yet. I'm still in shock. … I don't know what I'm going to be doing next week. Probably watching the games, mad as hell. This hurts more than last year. This is gonna eat at me for a long time."
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) June 19, 2021

Mitchell almost didn't play in Game 6 after being listed as a game-time decision due to an ankle injury that he dealt with all series. He ended up leading the Jazz with 39 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the loss, but it wasn't enough as the Clippers came back blazing in the second half.

Utah was the top seed in the Western Conference and held a 2-0 series lead over L.A. before losing four straight games. The Jazz built up a 25-point lead during Friday night's contest before the Clippers rallied back with 25 second-half points from Terance Mann en route to a 131-119 win.

It's back to the drawing board for the Jazz, who will have several decisions to make this offseason.

Utah was also eliminated in disappointing fashion last season after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

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