標籤: Mitchells

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.

Donovan Mitchell participated fully in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ latest practice, meaning he is likely to return before the team hosts the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson offered an update on the status of his All-Star guards as well as Max Strus, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade.

Both Mitchell and Wade were fully engaged in Friday’s session, with Strus performing at about “90 percent” and Allen not practicing.

After missing the last four games with a right groin strain, Mitchell appears to be on his way to returning for Cleveland’s showdown with the Celtics. The same can be said for Wade, who hasn’t played in Milwaukee since Feb. 25 because of a right ankle sprain.

Strus got even tougher on Friday, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, although he likely won’t suit up for the Boston game in two days.

“He could have gone higher,” Atkinson said. “He and I got closer today in a loving way. He’s always going to challenge you. He always brings an energy. He gives 100 percent every practice. Obviously we missed the player, but we missed his personality.

“He and James [Harden] Worked out in a small group before starting, so that was good. It makes you feel optimistic, doesn’t it? You are becoming complete. If you look at it that way, adding Max is like adding another excellent free agent.

How serious is Jarrett Allen’s injury for the Cavs?

Atkinson assured the media that Allen’s right knee injury was “absolutely not long-term.”

“He did some conditioning and treatment, so we’ll see about that,” Atkinson said. “If he is out, it is a short-term thing.”

Allen suffered the illness while attempting to grab a rebound in the opening moments of the second half against the Detroit Pistons and was ruled out for the remainder of Tuesday’s contest.

It doesn’t look like the Cavs’ big man will suit up on Sunday, but we’ll get a clearer picture on Saturday.