Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell has compiled a strong highlight reel in his first NBA season, including several posterizing dunks, a Slam Dunk Contest crown and, most recently, a devastating move that put Boston Celtics big man Greg Monroe on life support.
During the final minutes of the fourth quarter last night, Mitchell used a Rudy Gobert screen to set up a one-on-one with Monroe that ended in an instant. A quick hesitation dribble sent Monroe stumbling to the floor as the rookie sensation glided to the hoop for a layup to give Utah a six point lead.
Mitchell leads all rookies in points per game, averaging 20.3 per night, which puts him in the conversation for NBA Rookie of the Year, along with the Philadelphia Sixers' Ben Simmons.
The 21-year old guard finished with a game-high 22 points last night but it wasn't enough to bury the Celtics who came from behind to win on a Jaylen Brown three-pointer as time expired. The Jazz fell to eighth in the Western Conference as a result of last night's loss, but they're just a half-game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves and one game behind the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans.