How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inspires Ajay Mitchell

Oklahoma City ThunderAjay Mitchell recorded his fourth 20+ point performance on Sunday 114-100 comeback win against the Memphis Grizzliesand as the guard’s stellar sophomore campaign continues in 2025-26, he talked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s influence. Starting with Lou Dort, Mitchell finished with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, six rebounds, four assists and three steals against the Grizzlies.

Mitchell’s impact on both ends of the floor helped erase a 19-point deficit. The Thunder won by 14 points, ending their four-game road trip — 3-1 — in Memphis. After the game, a reporter asked the 2024 second-round pick how much Gilgeous-Alexander had helped Mitchell this season giving an example as a leader.

“A lot,” Mitchell replied. “The first thing is just seeing his work ethic. Every day he’s the first guy in the gym/the last guy out. He’s a good leader. So it’s been great to see him work and, obviously, see the results on the field.”

Gilgeous-Alexander leads a diverse group of talented guards, including the team’s elder statesman Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, who started in place of All-Star Jaylen Williams — as he continues to recover from a right wrist injury — and Dort. Mitchell believes it’s a testament to SGA’s approach that it rubs off on his teammates.

“Very contagious. Obviously, when your main guy is the first one in the gym/the last one to leave, and he plays like he wants to be on the team, it really helps all of us,” Mitchell added. “When we see that from him, everybody wants to do the same thing. So it’s really contagious.”

Mitchell is averaging 17.2 points on 46.2% shooting, including 35% from deep, 4.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. His versatility on both ends of the floor and playmaking ability have opened up opportunities for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault to go with a variety of lineups, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell together, with the second-year guard becoming the top option.

Ajay Mitchell’s breakout season continues for the Thunder

When Yahoo Sports’ Chris Mannick called the Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell steps in for Most Improved Player during the first week of the 2025-26 regular season, most fans considered it week one gold. Now? That’s hardly hot.

Two weeks removed from the defending champion Thunder hoisting their first championship sign in the opener, Mitchell has scored 20+ points in four of the Thunder’s first 11 games while averaging nearly two steals per game for the team with the best defensive efficiency (105.8) in the NBA.