Mitchell won't start Tuesday's game against the Spurs, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell got the starting nod in Thursday's preseason finale, though Cason Wallace is back in action and starting Tuesday's regular-season opener. Mitchell should play a sizable role for Oklahoma City this season after averaging 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes per game across 57 regular-season appearances (16 starts) in the 2025-26 campaign.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Struggles in preseason finale
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Mitchell finished with seven points (3-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 24 minutes in Thursday's 116-89 preseason loss to Houston.
Mitchell drew the start but struggled to generate offense, missing all four of his three-point attempts while committing three turnovers. Oklahoma City shot just 13.9 percent from beyond the arc as a team, and Mitchell was among several Thunder guards who couldn't find their rhythm. He'll look to bounce back when the regular season begins.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting preseason finale
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Mitchell (rest) is available and starting Thursday's preseason finale against Houston, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Mitchell will return from a two-game absence due to rest purposes, resulting in Cason Wallace sliding to the second unit. Mitchell will be joined in the starting five by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Sitting out again
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Mitchell (rest) won't play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Pacers, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell is out for both ends of this back-to-back set. His next chance to play is Thursday against the Rockets.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Won't be available Monday
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Mitchell (rest) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Hawks, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell and the rest of the Thunder's regulars won't travel to Atlanta for the first half of a back-to-back set, but they're expected to suit up Tuesday, when they host the Pacers. After a breakout 2025-26 campaign, Mitchell is one of the preseason favorites for Sixth Man of the Year.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Not starting Wednesday
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Mitchell is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's preseason game against Milwaukee, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Mitchell started in Tuesday's 116-110 loss to the Pelicans. However, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso starting Wednesday, Mitchell will head to the bench.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting Tuesday
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Mitchell is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's preseason matchup with the Pelicans, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
The Thunder are holding out all five of their usual starters for Tuesday's preseason opener. Joining Mitchell in the first unit for Tuesday's exhibition will be Jared McCain, Bennett Stirtz, Kenrich Williams and Aday Mara.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Fully healthy for Thunder
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Mitchell (calf) is healthy and participating fully in training camp after ending the 2025-26 season injured, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
Head coach Mark Daigneault said Wednesday that Mitchell "got himself healthy" during the offseason and praised the guard's conditioning and overall form early in camp. Mitchell's unrestricted participation indicates he's moved past the calf injury that ended his 2025-26 campaign and should be available for Oklahoma City's preseason slate.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Could step up this season
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Thunder general manager Sam Presti has mentioned Mitchell (calf) multiple times as a player who could take on more minutes and make a jump this season, according to Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.
Mitchell appears to be a candidate for an expanded role in Oklahoma City's rotation after showing promise in a limited capacity last season. The team lost Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort this offseason, making Mitchell an obvious player to watch ahead of fantasy drafts. His exact place in the rotation will become clearer during training camp and the preseason.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Importance grows for Thunder
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According to Bryan Toporek of Forbes, Oklahoma City's offseason roster shakeup opened additional opportunities for Mitchell (calf) and others in the backcourt after the departures of Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort.
Mitchell had a breakout campaign in his second NBA season and could earn a larger role in 2026-27. However, he'll still have to compete with Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Jared McCain for consistent playing time. Mitchell's continued development as a secondary playmaker could determine whether he becomes a reliable fantasy contributor.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Game 6
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Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs.
Mitchell is set to miss a third consecutive contest with a right calf strain. If the Thunder fall to the Spurs on Thursday, his next chance to play would come Saturday in Game 7 of the series. The likes of Jared McCain, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace are all candidates to step up for Oklahoma City in Game 6.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Game 5
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Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs.
Mitchell will miss a second consecutive contest due to a right soleus strain he sustained in Friday's Game 3 win. With the 23-year-old guard sidelined, Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe are candidates for increased playing time.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Exits to locker room
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Mitchell (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals versus San Antonio, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell started for Jalen Williams (hamstring), who was ruled out ahead of tipoff. However, Mitchell suffered an undisclosed injury in the third quarter after logging only 17 minutes. If he's unable to return, Jared McCain and Cason Wallace are candidates to see extra minutes the rest of the way.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting Game 3
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Mitchell will start Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined, Mitchell will return to the first unit in San Antonio. Over six starts this postseason, the second-year guard has averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 31.2 minutes per contest.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Retreating to bench
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Mitchell will come off the bench for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs on Monday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Mitchell filled in admirably during the semifinals against the Lakers, averaging 22.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals over four games. He'll head back to a bench role with Jalen Williams set to return from a hamstring injury, though Mitchell should remain a key contributor within the Thunder rotation.
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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.
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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: Won't play Sunday
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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: 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.
