After his breakout performance in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers, fans are quick to find out that Ajay Mitchell‘s contract is definitely a steal for the OKC Thunder. Now up 3-0 in the West Semis against Los Angeles, the Thunder have called Mitchell’s number time and time again. So far, the guard has responded well and proved that he can step up on the big stage.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a nice game Saturday, along with Chet Holmgren. The Thunder bench was also rolling on its own. However, it was Mitchell who was scoring left and right, making massive plays that mattered. What was a tight game early on became a massive outing for the sophomore guard, showing he can hoop indeed.
Ajay Mitchell’s $9 Million Contract Emphasizes Potential
From his days in Belgium to playing for UC Santa Barbara and then for the defending champs, it seems that Ajay Mitchell was destined to wear the Thunder blue. Now he is making the most of his chance and is shining bright on the postseason stage.
Mitchell’s Contract is a Win for OKC
Not all star players come from the lottery or the first round. Some of these names can be found in the deeper stretch of the second round. Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson are notable proof of that. Mitchell, the 38th overall pick in 2024, is now shining as a steal for the defending champions. OKC currently has him on a three-year, $9 million deal.
AJAY MITCHELL OVER THE LAST 4 GAMES:
21.0 PPG
6.5 APG
3.3 RPG
50.8% FG
38.9% 3P
88.2% FT
30.4 MPGOnly making $3 Million per year. 🤯 https://t.co/SESzBYZUTp pic.twitter.com/hqGDK6iDkX
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 10, 2026
He’s just a meager percentage of the Thunder’s expenses. And yet he posted a 24-point, 10-assist performance on the road with zero turnovers. If you are still not impressed, he was OKC’s best scorer in that game. Mitchell received plenty of praise for his efforts, considering how he took over the fourth quarter and made various buckets to put the game away.
What makes it better is that he used to be the Thunder’s sixth man. Mitchell was a great candidate for the 6MOTY to start the season, but injuries hit his odds and negated his eligibility for the award. For someone who is being paid $3 million a year, Mitchell continues to validate the work of OKC’s scouts and front office.
Mitchell’s Dynamic for the Thunder
Much like Jalen Williams, Mitchell plays as a ball handler and takes off pressure from SGA, especially when it comes to double-teams. In the Thunder vs Lakers series so far, Mitchell has averaged 20.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds. He’s also tallied a total of 20 assists in the series, doing a great job as a playmaker for Oklahoma City.
Mitchell’s flexible offense makes him a tremendous asset for the Thunder. He is great at driving to the rim and making acrobatic shots. But what stretches his game further is his shooting, both on midrange and from three. In fact, the guard is shooting 53.3% from the field, which says a lot about his ability to score at a consistent pace.
Ajay Mitchell in Game 3:
24 PTS
10 AST
0 TOV
3 STLThe first player in Thunder history with 10+ assists and 0 turnovers in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/Qk9oYDqpts
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 10, 2026
If anything, this relieves scoring pressure from Gilgeous-Alexander, who hasn’t dropped a 30-point game in the series so far. Having no J-Dub in the rotation means OKC is short a top-tier scorer. But Mitchell negates that with his own impact, helping the Thunder become a much better and more flexible team.
Mitchell’s Rise was Inevitable
Sam Presti and the Thunder went out of their way to trade for Mitchell in the 2024 NBA Draft. Whether the team knew of his strong potential, or his roots of supporting the Thunder when he was still a kid, it’s still a surprise. No one would have predicted Mitchell to be this good of a performer, let alone with the defending champions.
Ajay Mitchell is a 2nd round sophomore who has been the #3 scorer and #2 playmaker in the playoffs for the defending champs.
Just an incredible trajectory.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 10, 2026
Williams’ injury, in perspective, turns out to be a positive for the team. They still haven’t lost a game without him, and Ajay Mitchell has taken the chance to shine at the same time. If anything, the Thunder guard has become a promising player to look out for. It just proves how deep the Thunder’s roster can be, and why they are indeed the favorites to win the title again.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
