NBA: Quin Snyder Insists Utah Jazz Have 'Moved On' After Winning First Bubble Game

There is no better way to issue a statement for the Utah Jazz than winning their first assignment in the NBA restart. Quin Snyder said the solidarity of his team should not be questioned anymore after the Jazz completed a come from behind victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, 106-104, in their official bubble debut at Orlando’s Walt Disney World's HP Field House on Thursday.

"We've moved on, and we've talked about using this entire experience to get better, and I think those two guys have done that," Snyder said in a published report by ESPN.

The game ended as if it had a written script to follow. After trailing by double digits in the first half, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell took turns and towed the Jazz back into the game. The French big man then completed the comeback as he hit a pair of pressure-packed free throws with 6.9 ticks left.

The connection between the two All-Stars was put to a test after reports claimed a spat emerged between them early into the break. Gobert, the first reported positive case of COVID-19 in the NBA, took the brunt of criticism for his seemingly insensitive acts amidst the virus scare. The big man’s reckless moves apparently did not escape the rage of Mitchell, who was also confirmed to have acquired the disease.

The duo has since cleared the air and clarified that any tension that might have existed would not affect their business inside the court. True enough, both have delivered in their return, and now they are hoping to use the statement victory to put the past controversy to a complete rest.

"I'm just grateful," Gobert said in a phone interview at post-game. "Just grateful to be able to do what I love to do. After everything that I've personally and everything the world is going through right now, to be able to keep inspiring millions of kids around the world and keep spreading positivity is just a blessing. And it's great to start with a win, of course.”

"Donovan was trying to make the right play and he did," added the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. “A lot of people probably won't be able to probably say the things they want to say to try to break our team apart. Like I said, life works in mysterious ways."

Gobert finished the game with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, while Mitchell accounted for 20 points, five boards, and five assists on a team-high 35 minutes of play.

The Jazz will quickly return to action on Saturday to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.