This Donovan Mitchell dunk melted every face in Houston

By Ian Levy | May 2, 2018

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz goes to the basket against PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Donovan Mitchell won the slam dunk contest. He decided to hold an impromptu redo in the middle of Game 2 against the Rockets.

Donovan Mitchell has had himself a heck of a season. The rookie won the Slam Dunk Contest and would be the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year if it weren’t for the unique production of Ben Simmons. Mitchell has been splendid in the playoffs as well, averaging 28.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in Utah’s first round upset of Oklahoma City.

Mitchell struggled shooting in Game 1 against the Rockets but still put up a healthy 21 points, five assists and three rebounds in Utah’s loss. Given those shooting struggles he decided to change his approach a bit in Game 2 — facilitating for his teammates (11 assists as of this writing), and focusing on the easy shots. You know, the ones right at the basket, on top of the unsuspecting heads of Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela.

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/991865233668038656

This is a canonical dunk, the kind that belongs on all time lists and NBA playoffs promos for decades to come. The yam comes at the expense of not one, but two hapless defenders (three if you count P.J. Tucker gawking from a few feet away. This dunk unfortunately melted every fan’s face in the entire arena so Dante Exum’s ridiculous dunk a few minutes later was mostly met by silence.

Next: Rankings the best NBA nicknames of all time

With his versatile offensive game, defensive potential, explosive athleticism and steely nerves under pressure, Mitchell appears to have all the makings of an elite NBA player. The Jazz have a long road in front of them in these playoffs but with Mitchell in the center of their young core, he should have the chance to throw down a few NBA Finals poster dunks at some point.

Home/NBA Playoffs