Donovan Mitchell's MRI negative; Utah Jazz hopeful he plays

An MRI on Tuesday on Utah Jazz star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell's left hamstring was negative, the team announced.

Mitchell has bilateral quadriceps contusions and will continue treatment, according to the Jazz. Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that there is optimism that Mitchell will be available for Game 6 on Thursday at home against the Dallas Mavericks, when the Jazz are facing elimination.

Mitchell limped off the court after his hamstring tightened up late in the blowout loss in Game 5. He doubled over in pain in the tunnel while en route to the locker room, but Mitchell expressed hope after the loss that he would play in Game 6. His status for Game 6 will officially be updated Wednesday.

«This is the playoffs, so I've got to find a way,» Mitchell said Monday night. «We'll see how I feel, but I'm a competitor.»

The Jazz were down by 28 when Mitchell exited with 4:41 remaining.

Mitchell was held to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting and committed four turnovers. The Jazz were outscored by 38 points during his 32 minutes. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, that ties the worst plus-minus by any Jazz player in a playoff game since the statistic started being tracked in 1996-97.

Mitchell is averaging 26.0 points per game in the series, but he's shooting only 37.9% from the floor and 19.5% from 3-point range.

«I give credit to [Dorian] Finney-Smith,» Mitchell said, referring to Dallas' primary defender on him. «This wasn't the best game of my career, let alone the playoffs. The looks I've been getting haven't been the easiest. I'm just trying to find a way.»