OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second consecutive game, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault inserted Ajay Mitchell into his starting lineup. After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of 20+ point games to 128 in a 116–103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Daigneault discussed Mitchell's impact as part of his starting 5.
For Daigneault, Mitchell has proven himself enough to earn a starting spot amid the Thunder's marquee matchups, he said, during his postgame media availability.
"We're going to need him and despite being a high-impact player, he hasn't played a lot of games," Daigneault said. “So, the opportunity to get him out early in the game in some of these high-level games is an opportunity we want to take advantage of right now.”
Mitchell finished with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 27 minutes for the Thunder. Mitchell emerged as one of Oklahoma City's major impact players off the bench. In only his second season, Ajayi made significant progress which led to him being included in various of Daigneault's lineups.
Mitchell's playmaking and scoring abilities, as well as his defensive ability, have made him one of Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault's favorite players this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Ajay Mitchell's impact for Thunder
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found out he scored 20 points after a 3-point play, causing a stampede in the crowd at Paycom Center. He extended his streak of scoring 20+ points to 128 consecutive games.
Then, after the win, Gilgeous-Alexander talked about how important Ajay Mitchell is to the Thunder.
"A guy who can make plays at any time," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "A guy who can pass, dribble, shoot at a high level on the basketball court, and also defend. And having guys like that on the court is a luxury. You don't have any holes when he's out on the court from his positioning standpoint. So, having him out there is a luxury. I don't think we've lost since he came back, and it's no surprise.
"He's a really good basketball player. Makes us a better team. Makes us tough to guard and score on both ends."
The Thunder extended their four-game home stand winning streak to eight straight after a 13-point win against the Timberwolves on Sunday.
