Oklahoma City Thunder fans got some good news this week. Ajay Mitchell, the second-year guard whose breakout season ended early in the Western Conference Finals, says he’s almost back to full strength.
Mitchell strained his right soleus in Game 3 of that series against — well, whoever they faced. The injury cost him the last four games of the playoffs. But according to a recent interview shared by ClutchPoints, the 2024 second-round pick is feeling optimistic about his recovery.
“Good, it’s been great. We have been on top of it as soon as we heard the news and been working on it ever since. Close to being back to 100 percent. It’s a great feeling. Excited to have a great offseason and be ready to start the year off strong,” Mitchell said.
That quote alone should reassure Thunder fans who watched their team’s run end with a depleted rotation. Mitchell wasn’t just some guy filling minutes out there. He turned into a legit contributor.
From late draft pick to rotation staple
Mitchell’s path to the rotation wasn’t smooth. Drafted 38th overall in 2024, the Belgian guard barely got on the court as a rookie, appearing in only 36 games with averages around 3.4 points and less than a rebound or assist per game. He was a development project, one of those picks you stash and hope pays off down the road.
But by his second season, things changed. Injuries forced him into a bigger role and he made the most of it. He played 57 regular-season games with 17 starts, averaging 13.6 points and 3.6 assists. Then came the playoffs, where he got the nod in 11 games, starting seven of them. His numbers jumped to 15.1 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. That’s not just a cameo. That’s a guy earning his minutes.
He also finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, which tells you the league noticed too.
What this means for 2026-27
With Mitchell sounding like he’ll be ready for training camp, the Thunder get back a versatile guard who can play on or off the ball. The team has not officially confirmed his status for preseason, but the player’s own words suggest he’s on track. OKC’s rotation already has some serious talent, but Mitchell’s emergence gives them depth that could matter in another deep playoff run.
And for a guy who went from 3.4 points a game as a rookie to a key piece in the conference finals, it’s hard not to be curious what he does next.
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