The routine was the same.
Every game.
About an hour before tipoff. Headphones on. One last made 3-pointer from the corner to finish his warmup. Then Donovan Mitchell would take a seat on the bench and slip off his adidas sneakers. He would ask for a marker and then look into the stands.
The 22-year-old Mitchell is still young enough to remember what it’s like to be on that side, in the seats, arm outstretched, hoping for some chance to just slap hands with one the players he loved. This season, Mitchell wanted to give that to his fans.