Getty Donovan Mitchell has begun his sophomore season with the Utah Jazz.
Former Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Donovan Mitchell hasn’t quite seemed like himself this season. Though he has recorded double digits in each game so far, his shooting percentage has suffered and he’s seemed to lack the smoothness and bounce that won him his notoriety.
Donovan struggled in the Jazz’s loss to the Warriors at their home opener last Friday, shooting only 7-23 from the field and 4-12 from three. In the tight final minutes of the game, where the Jazz battled a 14-point comeback by the reigning champ Warriors, Mitchell was trusted with the ball several times–only to come up short.
GettyDonovan Mitchell in Friday’s loss to the Warriors.
Mitchell’s frustration has been palpable. “I try my hardest not to get too down on myself,” he said. “But that’s a tough task.” It seems that now that he’s a point of focus for opponents’ defenses, the game isn’t coming quite so easily as it was during Mitchell’s rookie season. Either that, or he’s just not taking the right shots. He’s said that his recent poor shooting percentage is simply the result of “Just [missing] a lot of shots, a lot of easy shots.”
On Wednesday night, though, Mitchell seemed to have regained his touch–and his confidence. He pulled out the same moves that placed him squarely in the Rookie of the Year conversation last year, and scored 20 points before halftime.
Donovan Mitchell puts up 20 PTS in the opening half! #TeamIsEverything
It’s this kind of play that has been expected; the apparent sophomore slump was the surprise. Mitchell averaged 20.5 points across 79 games in his rookie season, and quickly became known for his explosive and hustle-heavy style of play. As Donovan learns to adjust to his opponents’ focused defense, it’s likely that more big-time games are in store this season.
On this particular night, though, he seems to have figured it out. Mitchell ended the night with 38 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists in the Jazz’s victory.
READ NEXT: Grayson Allen Delivers Vicious Slam in Jazz’s Attempted Comback