With their playoff position already secured, the Oklahoma City Thunder are opting to rest the majority of their main rotation players during the final two games of the regular season.
This strategic move opens the door for younger and less-experienced players to get valuable court time.
Notably, rookie guard Ajay Mitchell is not listed on the injury report and appears ready to make his long-awaited return to action.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, has been sidelined since early January with a turf toe injury that kept him out for approximately three months.
Now that he is healthy, the Thunder are likely to give him some run as the season winds down – an ideal opportunity to shake off any rust and regain rhythm before the offseason.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft out of UC Santa Barbara, Mitchell began his professional career on a two-way contract.
He quickly made an impression, appearing in the team’s first 34 games and averaging 16.5 minutes per game.
His solid contributions led to a promotion to a standard NBA contract partway through the season.
During his initial stretch of games, Mitchell posted 6.4 points per game on an efficient 50.6% shooting from the field, including an impressive 43.1% from three-point range.
While he is not expected to be part of Oklahoma City’s postseason rotation, these final regular-season games offer a valuable chance for Mitchell to showcase his development and contribute in a low-pressure setting.
It could also serve as a glimpse of his potential heading into next season.
Ajay Mitchell Set To Return For Thunder https://t.co/cOsUfYp51Q
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 11, 2025
