Donovan Mitchell: My Pain Nothing Compared to Those Impacted by Police Brutality

Donovan Mitchell remained focused on the bigger picture after the Utah Jazz fell inches short of a buzzer-beating Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets.

After lying facedown on the court as the Nuggets celebrated, Mitchell pulled himself together for a media session in which he continued using the NBA's platform to speak against systemic racism, telling reporters the pain he feels is nothing compared to the pain of family members who have lost loved ones to police brutality and racism.

Denver eliminated the Jazz in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs after a would-be game-winning shot by Mike Conley rolled off the rim to seal an 80-78 Nuggets victory. Utah previously held a 3-1 series lead before Denver won three straight to advance.

"I know I'm probably going to go back there and cry again," Mitchell said. "I just want to go out and say, 'Look man, this is a game.' People have lost their family members to police brutality and racism and s--t, I can only imagine. The way that I'm feeling right now is nothing compared to that and I appreciate the NBA and everybody in this league for continuing to push that message."

Mitchell said he wanted police brutality to be the first thing he spoke on win or lose Tuesday night.

Since the NBA bubble opened in July, players have been determined to use their collective voice for good and focus on opposing police brutality and systemic racism.

During many of the postgame interviews, both on the court and behind the scenes, players have been speaking out about the realities facing Black communities. They've invoked the names of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Jacob Blake.

In his last national interview before the offseason begins, Mitchell wanted to keep the focus there.

As far as basketball is concerned, Mitchell said he'll use the loss as fuel and come back better.

Basketball just wasn't the most important item on Tuesday, the days that preceded it or the ones to come.

Mitchell wasn't going to let a Game 7 loss change that.