Ajay Mitchell emerging as OKC’s new star, Shai: “Best player of the series”
After sweeping the Lakers 4-0, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had no doubts: Ajay Mitchell was crucial to the Thunder’s success.
The Los Angeles Lakers (was it LeBron James’ final game?) entered their semifinal matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a clear plan: limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as much as possible. At times, the strategy worked. The problem for L.A. was that Oklahoma City had another weapon ready to explode: Ajay Mitchell.
The former Limburg United guard was simply dominant throughout the series. In Game 4, the closeout game that sealed the 4-0 sweep with a 115-110 win, Mitchell delivered another massive performance: 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting, along with four steals. Numbers that confirm his rapid growth and have the entire NBA taking notice.
What’s most impressive is that Mitchell didn’t just shine in one game. Throughout the series against the Lakers, he became the Thunder’s offensive anchor in key moments, especially on nights when Gilgeous-Alexander was not at his usual shooting level. The numbers tell the story of his impact: 22.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 56.3% shooting from the field across the four games against Los Angeles.
And in the end, even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had no doubts about who the true star of the series was. In the postgame, he offered major praise for his teammate.
You could say he was our best player in this series
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Just one year ago, he had been selected with the No. 38 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Today, he already looks like one of the most valuable pieces of Oklahoma City’s future.
His style of play is beginning to resemble Jalen Brunson during his early years with the Dallas Mavericks: strong pace control, excellent mid-range scoring, and the ability to create advantages attacking the rim. Brunson eventually became one of the league’s top players, and after what Mitchell showed against the Lakers, that comparison no longer feels exaggerated.