A look back at local, national and world events through the Deseret News archives.
If you’re looking for a unique angle for an August archive story, it’s easy to grab the huge NBA playoff game in August.
What?
On August 17, 2020, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell set the nets for 57 points in an NBA playoff opener with the Denver Nuggets near Orlando, Florida.
And the Jazz lost 135-125.
First, why: The game was played in August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire playoffs were held in the NBA bubble in Bay Lake, with very few spectators.
Now the game: Mitchell’s total broke the Jazz’s single-game playoff scoring record (Karl Malone’s 50 points in 2000 vs. Seattle) and was the third-most points scored in an NBA playoff game, behind only Michael Jordan (63) and Elgin Baylor (61).
Although the Jazz eventually took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Nuggets found a way to close out the series 4-3 against Utah. For the record, The The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title that year.
About the Jazz: With 44 wins that season, Mitchell and the Jazz seemed poised to break through. They won 52 games the following season (2020-21) but then lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semifinals.
In the 2022 season, Utah once again had an outstanding regular season, winning 49 games and securing first place. But they lost their first-round series with Dallas.
And Mitchell? Nicknamed “Spida,” Mitchell became a Jazz and NBA favorite from his first game. He won the NBA dunk contest, was visible in the community and earned All-Star status while leading Utah to regular-season success.
But after the 2022 season, Mitchell and the core of the Jazz roster were all traded for draft picks as Utah transitioned to the future.
Here are some articles from the Deseret News archives about the game, the Jazz, the ever-popular Mitchell and that rare moment when the NBA playoffs dominated the sports scene in August.
“Donovan Mitchell joins Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson in NBA history“
“Donovan Mitchell Had a Historic Game. Here’s Where Things Went Wrong for the Jazz“
“Donovan Mitchell on his return to Utah, friendship, family and inspiring change“
“Donovan Mitchell Talks Favorite Photo of His Career, 2017 Summer League Fans, and the Jazz“
“Mike Conley joins Utah Jazz in NBA bubble, continues four-day quarantine“
