Jalen Brunson Leaves Game 3 With Injury After Royce O’Neale Push
Apr 21, 2022, 8:26 PM | Updated: 8:34 pm
Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives into Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Dallas Mavericks lost Jalen Brunson to injury in the second quarter of Game 3 due to injury following a push by Royce O’Neale.
Midway through the second quarter, Mike Conley shot a three, while Jalen Brunson was going for the rebound when Royce O’Neale pushed him in the back.
Brunson went down on the floor and was slow to get up off the floor. After Dallas had a possession, Brunson intentionally fouled the Jazz to get out of the game. As he was leaving the floor, Brunson said some words to the official and received a technical foul.
Wow it was Royce on both, this one a really tough shot in the back.
Understandable why he got frustrated with the no call. pic.twitter.com/4mNRvcBiyi https://t.co/NBfVUIDYiH
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 22, 2022
The Mavericks announced during halftime that Brunson was available to return.
Jalen Brunson will be available to return to tonight’s Game 3 in Utah.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) April 22, 2022
Brunson scored a career-high 41 points in Game 2 on Monday night. He left the game with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field in 15 minutes on the floor.
The Jazz indicated that there would be adjustments to the team’s game plan after Wednesday’s practice in preparation for Game 3.
The Mavericks easily dissected the Jazz in their Game 2 series leveling victory, repeatedly attacking the rim, and kicking the ball out to open shooters on the perimeter.
“We watched the film today,” Jazz coach Snyder said Wednesday. “We had good work on the court [and] addressed a few adjustments that can help us.”
During the Jazz shootaround on Thursday, Donovan Mitchell indicated he knew what it would take for his team to overcome their Game 2 issues.
“I’m confident in my abilities on defense,” Mitchell said, “and so are my teammates. But I’m not too worried about it, just go out there and guard and do what I’ve got to do.”
The Mavericks haven’t won a game at Vivint Arena since April of 2016.
The Jazz and Mavericks on KSL NewsRadio and The Zone Sports Network. The game is televised on NBATV, AT&T SportsNet, and FuboTV.
