The Los Angeles Lakers may be continuing to find ways to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Western Conference semifinals, but that has not stopped the Oklahoma City Thunder from extending their unbeaten run in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder secured their seventh straight victory of this postseason on Saturday night, defeating the Lakers 131-108 at Crypto.com Arena to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
The reigning MVP was limited to 23 points in 33 minutes, along with four rebounds and nine assists. However, it was young guard Ajay Mitchell who stole the spotlight for Oklahoma City, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 24 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It was not just a one-game performance either, as Mitchell has already scored a combined 40 points across Games 1 and 2. While some may be surprised by the 23-year-old stepping up on the playoff stage, Gilgeous-Alexander certainly is not among them.
“He’s a gamer,” he said postgame. “Works super hard. Never shaken. He’s just ready for his opportunity and he takes full advantage of it. It might be a shock to the world, but this is no shock to us. We knew who Ajay Mitchell was the day he stepped foot in our building, and he’s just showing it to the world.”
"He's a gamer. Works super hard. Never shaken. He's just ready for his opportunity and he takes full advantage of it. It might be a shock to the world, but this is no shock to us." – @shaiglalex
New postseason career-highs in PTS (24), AST (10), and STL (3) for Ajay Mitchell! pic.twitter.com/BeUTZba8ex— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2026
Mitchell was selected 38th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA Draft before being traded to the Thunder on the same night. Oklahoma City sent the 40th overall pick and cash considerations in return. At the time, the move may have seemed unusual, but now the world is beginning to understand why general manager Sam Presti made that decision.
Mitchell appeared in just 36 games as a rookie and averaged 6.5 points per game, but this season has marked his true breakout. In 57 regular-season appearances, he averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while playing 25.8 minutes per night.
Now in the postseason, Mitchell is averaging 17.4 points, five assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, all while costing the Thunder just around $3 million annually.
“He’s been huge for us. I’m glad he’s getting some of the recognition he deserves for his hard work,” said Thunder star Chet Holmgren.
If Mitchell continues delivering clutch performances like Saturday’s outing, and the Thunder eventually repeat as champions, the Belgium-born guard could be in line for a major payday during the offseason.
The Thunder will return to Crypto.com Arena for Game 4 on Monday.
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