Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell will miss the 2022 NBA All-Star Game due to an upper respiratory illness, he announced in a statement on Sunday evening. Mitchell, who also missed Saturday’s All-Star practice, does not have COVID-19. With Mitchell’s announcement coming just a few hours before tip-off, it’s unlikely the NBA will be naming a replacement for his squad, Team LeBron.
“It’s a great honor and has always been a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star,” Mitchell said. “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.”
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It’s good to hear that Mitchell does not have COVID again, but even so there was no reason to push it for an exhibition game. Hopefully this will be a minor issue and he can get back on the court for the Jazz’s first game post All-Star, which is set for Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.
This was set to be the third straight All-Star appearance for Mitchell alongside teammate Rudy Gobert. Together they are the first Jazz players to make that many consecutive All-Star Games since Karl Malone went to three straight from 2000-02.
Despite this setback, Mitchell is putting together another terrific season. Currently 10th in the league in scoring, he was averaging 25.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.2 assists per game prior to the break. His importance to the Jazz was also made crystal clear when they went 2-6 while he was sidelined with a concussion in January.
