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.
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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: 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: 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.
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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: Ejected from game
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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: Another absence coming
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Mitchell (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against New York.
Mitchell will be sidelined for a 19th straight game and remains without a target date to return. Consider him doubtful at best for Saturday's game against Golden State.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Remaining out
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Mitchell (abdomen/ankle) is out for Friday's game against Denver, per Clemente Almanza of USA Today.
Mitchell remains without a timetable for a return due to an abdominal strain and ankle sprain. Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe should both continue to take on a more pronounced role in the Oklahoma City backcourt Friday.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Sitting out again
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Mitchell (abdomen) is out for Thursday's game against the Bucks.
Mitchell will be sidelined for his 11th straight game Thursday. At this point, it's unclear if he will be ready to return for the first game after the All-Star break Feb. 20 against Brooklyn.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Won't play Monday
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Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lakers, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.
Mitchell is set to miss a ninth consecutive game while recovering from an abdominal strain. His next chance to play is Wednesday against the Suns, though the second-year pro does not have a clear timeline for a return.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Remaining out Wednesday
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Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Mitchell will miss his seventh straight outing due to an abdominal strain. While there isn't a concrete timetable for the 23-year-old guard's return to action, his next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Houston.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Absence streak to continue
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Mitchell is out for Tuesday's game against the Magic with an abdominal strain, per Rylan Stiles of SI.com.
Tuesday marks a sixth straight absence for Mitchell, who holds no definitive timetable for a return ahead of Wednesday's showdown with the Spurs. Plenty of minutes remain up for grabs on the wing for the Thunder, giving all of Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins an opportunity to log minutes in the 30s.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Sunday
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Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
Mitchell will miss a fifth consecutive contest due to an abdominal strain. His next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Magic. Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins are candidates for increased minutes due to Mitchell and Alex Caruso (adductor) being sidelined.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Won't play Thursday
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Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled out for Thursday's game in Minnesota.
Mitchell is set to sit out his fourth straight game Thursday, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Sunday's game in Denver. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins will likely continue to divvy up Mitchell's minutes while he's sidelined.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Tuesday
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Mitchell is out for Tuesday's game against the Pelicans with an abdominal strain.
Tuesday is marking a third consecutive absence for Mitchell, whose next chance to return to action comes Thursday in Minnesota. With Alex Caruso (adductor) joining Mitchell in street clothes, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins appear to be worthy of streaming consideration.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Ruled out for Friday
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Mitchell is out for Friday's game against Indiana with an abdominal strain, per Clemente Almanza of USA Today.
Mitchell left Wednesday's win in Milwaukee early and needs to miss at least one contest. Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace are candidates for an increased role Friday. Mitchell's next chance to play comes Sunday against the Raptors.
