SALT LAKE CITY — With a heap of reporters circling Rudy Gobert at the practice facility early Friday, Donovan Mitchell tried to lighten the mood and distract the big man during his shootaround interview with a funny karate stance.
The Utah Jazz center noticed the rookie out of the corner of his eye, but did his best to ignore the jokester.
There was no time for fun, especially on game day.
“He’s trying to distract me, but I’m focused,” Gobert said, smirking.
By the time the ball was tipped off at 8:30 p.m. in Vivint Arena, the level of focus rubbed off on Mitchell as he finished with 38 points, four rebounds and two assists to send the Oklahoma City Thunder packing, 96-91, after Game 6.