Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (wearing white) goes up for a shot between Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6), Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30), Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00).
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes up for a shot between Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6), Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30), Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Sarah Todd
By Sarah Todd
Sarah Todd covers the NBA and Utah Jazz for the Deseret News.

The Utah Jazz upset Donovan Mitchell’s return to Utah, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-114 on Tuesday night at Vivint Arena.

Mitchell finished the night with 46 points, matching his regular-season career high as a member of Utah Jazz. But, thanks to some late-game heroics from Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz came back, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Here are three keys that contributed to the Jazz’s victory:

  • Jordan Clarkson scored 15 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter including scoring seven points in a single possession (hitting a 3-pointer while drawing a flagrant 1 foul, hitting a free throw and then getting fouled on another 3-point attempt and hitting three straight free throws).
  • The Jazz did a great job on the glass on Tuesday, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and scoring 27 second-chance points to the Cavaliers’ 10. Walker Kessler grabbed six offensive boards to lead the Jazz.
  • Despite not having Kelly Olynyk (left ankle sprain), Collin Sexton (hamstring), Talen Horton-Tucker (right ankle sprain), Leandro Bolmaro (illness) and Udoka Azubuike (health and safety protocols), the Jazz got contributions from across the roster including 13 points off the bench from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and 27 total points from the reserve unit.
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Nobody knew what to expect, but Donovan Mitchell’s return to Utah was overwhelmingly positive
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) smirks after sinking a 3-point shot as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) hug former teammate Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) after the game as the Utah Jazz defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Utah won 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) goes up for a layup ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) guards Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) battles Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens (8) for the ball as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) winks at a teammate as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks to a teammate as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives and stops on Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) go after the ball as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes up for a shot between Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6), Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30), Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) lays up a shot as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) talk before the game as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Utah won 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes through shoot around prior to the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes through shoot around prior to the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes through shoot around prior to the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with former coach Lamar Skeeter prior to the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes through shoot around prior to the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) signs autographs as he leaves the floor to dress for the game as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) signs autographs as he leaves the floor to dress for the game as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) looks to pass as he is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the hoop against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) falls out of bounds as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) traps the ball on the backboard but is called for goaltending as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) puts in a layup as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) passes around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) grimaces as he works against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens (8) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) drives on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay (22) questions referee Gediminas Petraitis (50) after foul call as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens (8) tries to fake Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) shoots and makes the third of three free-throws late in the fourth quarter as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) chase after the ball as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) flips in a shot as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dive after the ball as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) fouls Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) as he goes for a dunk as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) fouls Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) as he goes for a dunk as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) battles Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) for the ball as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) goes high for a block on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) battles to get off a shot between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) rolls after being being fouled as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) behind the three point line as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach J. B. Bickerstaff, argues with a referee as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) drives between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) puts in a layup after stealing an inbounds pass as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) puts up a last second three point shot as the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Utah won 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) hug after the game as the Utah Jazz defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Utah won 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) talk with former teammate Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) after the game as the Utah Jazz defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Utah won 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is greeted by fans as he exits the arena as the Utah Jazz defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. 116-114. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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