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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.
Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Fully healthy for Thunder
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
In an appearance on ESPN.com on Tuesday, Mitchell relayed that he is "close to being back to 100 [percent]" in his recovery from a right calf strain.
Mitchell was forced to miss the final four games of the Western Conference Finals against San Antonio after straining his right calf in Game 3. The 2024 second-rounder was a key piece to the Thunder's rotation and even started in seven of 11 playoff games. In his absence, Oklahoma City lost three of the next four WCF games, including Game 7 that sent San Antonio to the NBA Finals against New York. Mitchell has primarily come off the bench in his first two years in the NBA, but given his strong postseason play, it's possible that he supplants Luguentz Dort for a spot in the starting backcourt next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the 2026-27 campaign.
Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs.
Mitchell is set to miss a fourth consecutive contest due to a right calf strain. If the Thunder are able to beat the Spurs on Saturday, his next chance to play would come Wednesday in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Each of Jared McCain, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace are all options to step up for Oklahoma City in Game 7, especially now that Jalen Williams (hamstring) has also been confirmed as out.
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.
