Donovan Mitchell Regrets 'F--king MVP' Comment About James Harden After Game 4

Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell said Tuesday that he regretted his comments in reference to Houston Rockets guard James Harden after his team's 100-87 Game 4 loss to Houston on Sunday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

According to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon, Mitchell was captured on camera saying, "If that's what he needs to win f--king MVP, f--k it," in reference to his perception the officials were giving Harden favorable foul calls.

Mitchell was remorseful Tuesday, and he was complimentary of Harden:

"Obviously he's the MVP. There's no doubt about that. I'm pretty sure we've all said things in the heat of the moment when you get upset. It was more so just about myself. You try so hard to fight back and what we did. I'm definitely upset that it came out that way, but you can't do anything about it. I understand that there are cameras everywhere. I'm getting used to that. But like I said, he is the MVP, rightfully so."

Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News provided video of Mitchell's comments:

Sunday's loss pushed the Jazz to the brink of elimination, as they trail Houston 3-1 in their second-round Western Conference playoff series.

Harden finished with 24 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists in Game 4. He also made seven of a game-high eight attempted free throws.

After second-place finishes in MVP voting in two of the last three seasons, Harden is the heavy favorite to win the award for the 2017-18 campaign.

During the regular season, the 28-year-old averaged a league-leading 30.4 points per game along with 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds for a Rockets team that finished with the NBA's best record (65-17).

Mitchell will be locked in a tight battle with the Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year.

The former University of Louisville standout has raised his level of play during the postseason, averaging 24.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

He will look to keep Utah alive in Game 5 on Tuesday night at the Toyota Center.