Hardy has emerged as the frontrunner and should be closing in on a five-year deal shortly. Photo: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer.

SALT LAKE CITY — With the All-Star Break coming to a close, the Utah Jazz are now preparing to finish off the 2021-22 season strong. Currently sitting in the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference, the pressure is on as Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert look to get over their playoff hump and finally compete for a Championship.

For the last few seasons, the Utah Jazz have endured premature first and second-round exits which have left the organization and fans scratching their heads. After blowing a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in 2020 and a 2-0 lead to the Kawhi-less Los Angeles Clippers in 2021, the clock is ticking on Utah to prove itself as a true competitor and maintain its star players.

As one of those star players, Mitchell understands the pressure on the team, the frustration and disappointment they’ve experienced in the past and how critical it is to raise the bar. In an interview with the Athletic, Mitchell mentioned what he had learned and hoped to apply from Super Bowl Champions Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp during their recent playoff run.

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“I watched Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp in the Superbowl; they just found ways to win,” Mitchell said to the Athletic. “I think I’m really at a point now where we’ve made the second round, and we want more. We crave it.”

Fellow teammate and franchise star Rudy Gobert also understands what’s at stake as he shared similar feelings with the Athletic regarding their “second-half push” to conclude the season and enter the playoffs.

“We’re ready to make a good push,” Gobert said to the Athletic. “We don’t want to be a good team. We want to be a championship team.”

With sights set on a real playoff run and following a nine-day break from their last game due to All-Star weekend, the Jazz will return to action with 24 games remaining on their schedule. This includes notable matchup’s with the Suns, Warriors, Lakers, Clippers and several of the Eastern Conference’s top competitors.

The Jazz remain in the No. 4 spot with a 36-22 record and a 99% chance to make the playoffs. So the question is not whether they’ll clinch a playoff spot, but if they’ll finish on a high note and finally live up to their expectations behind three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, and superstar Donovan Mitchell, to legitimately compete for a title.

Utah will resume their regular season against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. MT before departing on a five-game road trip.