Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Hits for 28 in series-clinching win
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Mitchell closed with 28 points (12-19 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, four assists and four steals over 33 minutes during Monday's 115-110 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
It was Mitchell's best-scoring performance yet in the playoffs, as the Thunder completed the sweep and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The second-year guard has started six straight games in place of Jalen Williams (hamstring), averaging 21.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 boards, 1.5 threes and 1.2 steals in 31.2 minutes over that stretch. With extra time for Williams to heal up before OKC's next game, however, Mitchell could get bumped back to the bench in the next round.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Outstanding in Game 3 win
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Mitchell logged 24 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 assists, four rebounds and three steals over 30 minutes during the Thunder's 131-108 win over the Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday.
Mitchell came on strong in the second half, scoring nine points in both the third and fourth quarters to help the Thunder separate from the Lakers to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The 2024 second-rounder also led his team in assists, tying a season high that he set back in the regular season against the Kings on Nov. 7. Mitchell has started in each of the Thunder's last five games due to the absence of Jalen Williams (hamstring), and in that five-game span, Mitchell has averaged 19.8 points, 5.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 threes over 30.8 minutes per contest.
Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Strikes for 18 in Game 1 win
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Mitchell totaled 18 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and four assists across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 win over the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Making his third straight start in place of Jalen Williams (hamstring), Mitchell delivered another solid scoring effort. During his stint in the starting five, the second-year guard is averaging 18.3 points, 4.0 boards, 4.0 assists and 2.0 threes in 31.3 minutes, and with Williams still lacking a clear timeline for his return, Mitchell should remain in a key role for Game 2 on Thursday.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Needs 20 shots to score 15 points
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Mitchell notched 15 points (5-20 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and two assists across 32 minutes during Saturday's 121-109 victory over the Suns in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Mitchell got the start with Jalen Williams (hamstring) unavailable, and he led the team in shot attempts. However, he converted only five of his 20 field-goal tries, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks as a starter for Game 4 on Monday. Cason Wallace finished with six points (2-8 FG, 2-6 3Pt), one rebound, two assists, two steals and one block over 26 minutes.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting Game 3
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Mitchell will start Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against Phoenix on Saturday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined, Mitchell will enter the starting lineup. In 16 regular-season starts, the 23-year-old averaged 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.3 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 41.7 percent from deep across 28.6 minutes.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Productive off bench Wednesday
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Mitchell totaled 14 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals across 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 120-107 victory over the Suns in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The second-year guard led the Thunder's second unit in scoring and assists on the night. Mitchell has made a consistent impact on defense over the last few weeks, recording at least one steal in six of his last seven games dating back to March 30 while averaging 10.0 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 boards, 1.3 steals and 1.1 threes in 23.9 minutes during that span.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Omitted from injury report
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Mitchell (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the Suns.
Mitchell missed two consecutive contests due to left ankle injury management at the end of the regular season, but he's good to go for the playoffs. The second-year guard averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds across 22.8 minutes per tilt over his final 10 regular-season appearances (four starts).
Mitchell (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Phoenix.
Mitchell will miss a second consecutive contest due to left ankle injury management, though he should be good to go for the playoffs. The 23-year-old guard has taken a significant step forward this season and will finish the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 25.8 minutes per showing in 57 outings (16 starts).
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Friday
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Mitchell (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Denver.
The Thunder have already secured the league's best record and are listing 10 players as out ahead of Friday's contest. Mitchell's next chance to suit up will come in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Suns.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Retreating to bench Wednesday
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Mitchell won't start Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Mitchell got the spot start in Tuesday's win over the Lakers but will slide back to the second unit with Jalen Williams (hamstring) back in the lineup. Mitchell has averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds across 21.8 minutes per game over his last five appearances off the bench.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting sans Williams
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Mitchell will start Tuesday's game against the Lakers, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sitting out the front end of this back-to-back set, Mitchell will rejoin the first unit. As a starter this season (15 games), the 23-year-old guard has averaged 15.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 28.9 minutes per tilt.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Not starting Thursday
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Mitchell won't start Thursday's game against the Lakers, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
With Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein back in the lineup after sitting out the second leg of a back-to-back set Monday, Cason Wallace and Mitchell will slide to the second unit. Over four appearances off the bench in March, Mitchell averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per contest.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting vs. Detroit
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Mitchell will start Monday's game against the Pistons, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) unavailable for the second leg of this back-to-back set, Cason Wallace and Mitchell will join the first unit. As a starter this season (14 games), the 23-year-old guard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 28.4 minutes per contest.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Handed one-game ban
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The NBA announced that Mitchell has been issued a one-game suspension for "fighting and escalating an on-court altercation" late in the second quarter of Saturday's 132-111 win over the Wizards.
Mitchell and the Wizards' Justin Champagnie were both ejected from the contest and handed one-game bans for their respective roles in the altercation, Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace and Washington's Anthony Gill received fines. The second-year guard will serve the suspension for Monday's game in Philadelphia, with his minutes likely to be absorbed primarily by Jalen Williams (hamstring), who is expected to return from a 16-game absence.
Mitchell was ejected from Saturday's game against the Wizards, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Mitchell was one of four players ejected from this contest for getting involved in the group altercation. Mitchell will finish the contest with 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt), three assists, one rebound and one steal in 15 minutes.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting Thursday
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Mitchell will be in the starting lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Celtics, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell will replace Isaiah Joe in the first unit for Thursday's game, and he'll be joined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren. Over nine starts this season, Mitchell has recorded averages of 16.6 points, 4.1 assists, 1.6 treys and 1.6 steals per contest.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Drops 24 in return
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Mitchell (ankle/abdomen) tallied 24 points (9-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), three assists, two rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes in Monday's 129-126 win over the Nuggets.
Mitchell returned from a 20-game absence due to an abdominal strain and a sprained left ankle and quickly got hot, pouring in 24 points off the bench while trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylin Williams in scoring for the Thunder. Prior to being sidelined by injuries, Mitchell was putting together a strong second NBA season, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from beyond the arc in 26.3 minutes per contest across 43 games (nine starts). The UC Santa Barbara product's return is a key development for Oklahoma City as the team looks to close the regular season strong and pursue a second consecutive title.
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