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.
Mitchell (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs.
Mitchell will miss a second consecutive contest due to a right soleus strain he sustained in Friday's Game 3 win. With the 23-year-old guard sidelined, Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe are candidates for increased playing time.
Mitchell won't play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Spurs on Sunday due to a right soleus strain, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.
Mitchell exited Friday's Game 3 win over the Spurs after tweaking his right calf, and now he will miss Game 4, which should result in more minutes for Isaiah Joe. Mitchell's next chance to play will come in Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Exits early Friday
Rotowire
Mitchell (undisclosed) exited Friday's 123-108 win over the Spurs in Game 3 the Western Conference Finals and did not return, finishing with two points (1-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist across 17 minutes.
Mitchell got into an altercation with Devin Vassell and was assessed a technical foul with 8:19 remaining in the third quarter before checking out of the game. He later headed to the locker room and was not seen on the bench during the fourth quarter. It's unclear exactly what he's dealing with, but if Mitchell is forced to miss Game 4 on Sunday, Jared McCain, Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe would be candidates for increased playing time, especially if Jalen Williams (hamstring) remains sidelined.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Exits to locker room
Rotowire
Mitchell (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals versus San Antonio, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Mitchell started for Jalen Williams (hamstring), who was ruled out ahead of tipoff. However, Mitchell suffered an undisclosed injury in the third quarter after logging only 17 minutes. If he's unable to return, Jared McCain and Cason Wallace are candidates to see extra minutes the rest of the way.
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Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Starting Game 3
Rotowire
Mitchell will start Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined, Mitchell will return to the first unit in San Antonio. Over six starts this postseason, the second-year guard has averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 31.2 minutes per contest.
Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Muted effort in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Mitchell accumulated four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mitchell moved back to the bench, with Jalen Williams returning to the starting lineup after missing six straight games due to a hamstring injury. Despite the relegation, Mitchell still managed to see 34 minutes, albeit largely unproductive. Through nine playoff appearances, Mitchell has averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 three-pointers. While his move to the bench is likely to result in less production, Mitchell should be better than this, based on what we have seen thus far throughout the postseason.
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