The Oklahoma City Thunder know how to deal with injuries but they’ll still feel the sting of Ajay Mitchell’s absence.
Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell May Miss Rest Of Regular Season
After undergoing a procedure to repair a turf toe sprain, Mitchell will be out for at least the next 10-12 weeks, per a team announcement (h/t HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto). With the regular season ending on April 13, that means the Thunder could be playing without the rookie until the playoffs.
If so, they’ll have to find a way to replace his production off the bench.
Mitchell has averaged 6.4 points and 0.7 steals in 16.5 minutes per game while shooting 43.1 percent from three. He’s scored in double-figures in 11 games and recorded at least one steal in 17 games. In the nine games he’s played 20 or more minutes, he’s averaging 11.2 points and 1.0 steal per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell will be re-evaluated in 10-12 weeks after having a procedure for a turf toe sprain, team says. The rookie guard has been a key contributor off the bench for OKC, averaging 6.4 points on 50.6% shooting overall and 43.1% from 3-point range. pic.twitter.com/9ujqIMWAXJ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 10, 2025
Though he hasn’t played quite well enough to enter Rookie of the Year conversations, he’s been among the steadiest contributors in the 2024 NBA Draft class. Honestly, his numbers do reflect his general impact. However, watching Mitchell score in a variety of ways will digging in at the defensive end leaves an even more memorable impression.
Ajay Mitchell vs New Orleans Pelicans highlights https://t.co/PeqkLYmvQM pic.twitter.com/ls4uy01bu3
— 𝐙 (@homahoops) December 10, 2024
In fact, when observing Mitchell’s approach, there’s at least one area where his averages don’t quite capture his skill level. The second-round pick is averaging a modest 1.7 assists per game. Yet, on film, he’s a heads-up facilitator who makes shrewd passes.
He’s still more of an off-guard. However, he could grow into more of a playmaking role over time. With Cason Wallace now starting more often than he comes off the bench, this would also help the second unit replace the Dallas native.
Looking Ahead
Next season, the hope is that the primary ball-handler in the second unit will be Serbian point guard Nikola Topic. Nonetheless, Topic is out for the 2024-25 season thanks to an ACL injury and it may take some time for him to play up to his potential. If so, Mitchell becomes that much more important to the Thunder.
That isn’t to dismiss Alex Caruso, who agreed to a lengthy extension with OKC. Like Mitchell though, Caruso isn’t a primary playmaker. As a result, he’s more likely to be part of the connective tissue than the engine. The same holds true for Isaiah Joe, another spark plug in the second unit.
