Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is out of the NBA All-Star game due to an upper respiratory illness that is now COVID-19, the NBA announced hours before the game on Sunday.
Mitchell, a three-time All-Star, released a statement lamenting the missed opportunity:
“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.”
Mitchell had been set to suit up for Team LeBron as a reserve, but now it appears the team will be playing a man down. The Jazz, currently in fourth place in the Western Conference at 36-22, will still be represented in the game by Team Durant’s Rudy Gobert.
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