How Ajay Mitchell emerged as Thunder’s breakout starter

Without any guarantee of establishing a role, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Ajay Mitchell with the 38th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Less than two years later, Mitchell helped the Thunder sweep the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers. Scoring 18+ points in all four outings, including a playoff career-high 28 points in Game 4, you could say Ajay has emerged as a breakout starter.

If you’re the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, you believe the Thunder couldn’t have swept the Lakers without him.

“You could say he’s been our best player this series,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Mitchell in his postgame interview with Allie Clifton of Prime.

Starting in place of the Thunder’s All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, who has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Game 2 of Oklahoma City’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, Mitchell does have experience in coach Mark Daigneault’s starting 5.

He started in 16 regular-season games for the Thunder, while taking on a sixth-man role throughout most of the season. Mitchell averaged 13.6 points on 48.5% shooting, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes per game, earning Daigneault’s trust as a fixture of many different lineups, featuring the second-year guard.

As Mitchell’s offense continued to develop, he proved to be more than just a knockdown shooter and a reliable defender, which is what initially earned him playing time throughout his rookie season. Then Mitchell made tremendous strides throughout the regular season, setting the stage for his breakout performance in the Thunder’s second-round series against the Lakers.

“Playing with a lot of confidence, especially at this stage in the playoffs. Not being afraid and giving it my all,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, offensively, but I think, defensively, too. Taking pride in that has been my goal the whole year, and I think that’s the most important for our team.”

Mitchell averaged 22.5 points on 56.3% shooting, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers.

Ajay Mitchell’s ‘preparation’ leads to breakout Thunder series

Thunder forward Jalen Williams missed 49 regular-season games in 2025-26. Recovering from wrist surgeries to make his season debut in December, Williams suffered two hamstring injuries that forced him to miss a month. Last season, coach Mark Daigneault often turned to Cason Wallace to replace Williams in his starting lineup. This season, sometimes it was Wallace, other times, it was Ajay Mitchell, after leading the Thunder as a sixth man.

While leading the Thunder bench, Mitchell was gradually integrated into the starting lineup, proving he could keep up with opposing starters on defense. Then, his two-way game often sparked game-defining runs as the Thunder’s top-ranked defense strung together stops with him at the forefront.

The increased role led to Mitchell averaging 6.5 points in his rookie season to 13.6 points as a sophomore. From 1.8 to 3.6 assists per game, and from 1.9 to 3.3 rebounds per game in 2025-26. He’s anchored the Thunder’s second unit, which, led by Jared McCain’s 13 points, combined for 25 points in Game 4’s series-clinching win.

“Preparation. Me and Jared always just ready to go,” Mitchell said after advancing to the Western Conference Finals. “Our whole team, no matter what happens, we’re always ready to go. The confidence and the trust that we get from the coaching staff and our teammates — that gives us a huge boost, and that’s really special.”

Mitchell has suddenly evolved into one of the Thunder’s most reliable players this season.

Ajay Mitchell agrees to $8.7 million Thunder extension

After the Thunder inked its core — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams — to max deals over the summer, Ajay’s new contract flew under the radar. Now, that deal is the subject of debate as the best NBA bargain around.

Mitchell agreed to a three-year, $8.7 million extension after the Thunder captured its first title in franchise history. For a rookie with a right-toe turf injury ahead of his first playoff run, Mitchell never really cracked Daigneault’s rotation throughout last year’s championship run.

While it is rare for a second-round pick to forego a stint with the Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, in their rookie season, Mitchell inked a “prove yourself” kind of contract in 2025, which he did in helping lead the defending champions to a perfect 8-0 postseason record.

One could argue that Mitchell’s contract is the best deal in the NBA, and what’s scary is that he’s still getting better ahead of making $2.8 million in 2026-27.

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