Donovan Mitchell Will Miss All-Star Game With Illness
Feb 20, 2022, 3:56 PM | Updated: 4:21 pm
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell announced that he will not play in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game because of a non-COVID illness.
The NBA All-Star Game is slated to take place on Sunday, February 20.
Hours before the game, Mitchell released the following statement:
“It is a great honor and has always been a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star. Remorsefully, I will not be able to play in tonight’s All-Star Game due to an upper respiratory illness (non-COVID-related). The entire All-Star weekend is a celebration of the basketball community, the fans and the sport I am blessed to play. I’m focused on getting well and back out on the court. Thank you for all the get-well wishes. I can’t wait to see the game later today.”
Statement from Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell: pic.twitter.com/jC6Rtwn5dZ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 20, 2022
Mitchell missed Saturday’s practice and media session ahead of Sunday’s game.
Mitchell was the first Jazz player taken during the All-Star draft last week, selected by LeBron James with the ninth pick of his 11 selections, and the 19th pick overall.
The guard is averaging 25.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds this season en route to his third consecutive All-Star appearance.
Mitchell is on pace to become only the sixth player since 2000 to average at least 23 points per game over the first five years of his NBA career joining LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid.
Rudy Gobert said he wants to show off his range in this year's All-Star game, and show off the state of Utah next year. #TakeNote | @UtahJazz https://t.co/wUfzEtsuxH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 19, 2022
Rudy Gobert, Mitchell’s Jazz teammate is still scheduled to play in the game.
Mitchell has averaged 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his two previous All-Star appearances.
All-Star Rosters and Broadcast Schedule
Team Lebron:
G: Stephen Curry/Luka Doncic/Chris Paul/Darius Garland
G: DeMar DeRozan/James Harden/Fred VanVleet/*Donovan Mitchell
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo/Jimmy Butler
F: LeBron James
C: Nikola Jokic
*Out Due To Illness
Team Durant:
G: Ja Morant/Trae Young/LaMelo Ball/Dejounte Murray
G: Andrew Wiggins/Devin Booker/Zach LaVine
F: Jayson Tatum/Khris Middleton
F: Kevin Durant/
C: Joel Embiid/Karl-Anthony Towns/Rudy Gobert
The NBA All-Star game will take place in Cleveland on February 20, with Gobert and Mitchell facing off in the All-Star game Sunday at 6 pm MT on TNT.