Utah Jazz: 3 takeaways from their preseason finale

Donovan Mitchell is an early Rookie of the Year candidate

Twenty-nine points. Fifty percent shooting. A game-clinching 3-pointer.

Donovan Mitchell had himself a night that will propel him into the early Rookie of the Year predictions.

With Rodney Hood leaving the game after four minutes with a neck injury, Mitchell saw 33 minutes on the court. He put them to good use in a performance that will force Quin Snyder to give him regular minutes to start the season — an idea once thought foolish by many close to the inner workings of the Jazz.

His defensive ability has never been questioned, but there are always doubts about a player’s ability to score in their rookie year. From what we’ve seen throughout the preseason, especially in the finale, the 21-year-old has all the tools to dominate from day one.

His jump shot was falling in this one, and his aggressiveness was earning him buckets, but there is one shot that had social media buzzing.

Off the tip, Mitchell received the ball and went straight down the court at full tilt. Poor Alex Caruso had no chance when the Jazz guard adopted a spin move that had his would-be defender seeing stars.

Next: 30 reasons to be excited for the 2017-18 NBA season

Kyle Kuzma has been the man of the moment over the course of the preseason. As impressive as he has been, Mitchell stole the spotlight Tuesday, even if — in typical Jazz style — only momentarily.