LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – JULY 30: Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert #27 heads to the basket past New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game on July 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell teamed up for a game-winning play Thursday night.
The NBA is back Thursday night and the first game between the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans came down to the final shot. The Jazz ended up on top after Brandon Ingram missed a potential game-winning 3 for his squad.
The fascinating thing about the victory is that Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell teamed up on what was ultimately the game-winning play.
These two were not exactly on speaking terms when both tested positive for COVID-19 back in March. Gobert’s test essentially shut down the league, but he ended up being the hero for the Jazz on Thursday night.
Gobert and Mitchell working together
Gobert scored the first points of the entire NBA restart and hit two clutch free throws — after a great pass from Mitchell — to put the Jazz ahead late. He went from pariah to hero and it was great to see the chemistry between the two after seeing what appeared to be a shattered relationship.
The big man finished with 14 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds. Mitchell went for 20 points and had five assists to help the Jazz pick up a key win in terms of seeding in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans suffered a brutal loss and face an even tougher path to at least getting into the ninth spot to force a play-in tournament for the eighth and final seed in the conference.
Gobert and Mitchell teaming up for the win is one of those storylines that seems made up. But here we are after the first game in Orlando seeing a Disney-worthy moment take place on the court.
The chemistry is still there in terms of actual basketball. Whether that is true off the court may not matter as long as the Jazz are winning.