Mark Daigneault’s “Incredible Mix” on Ajay Mitchell’s Perfect Shooting

In a 124-95 win against the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watched backup guard Ajay Mitchell score 17 points without missing a shot. The Thunder’s defense held off the Trail Blazers in the second half. Mitchell was 4-for-4 from the floor, including one three-pointer, and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

After the win, Daigneault responded to Mitchell’s perfect recording performance and his role with the Thunder this season.

“He’s obviously a very talented player and an impact player, a really effective player,” Daigneault said. “It’s hard to establish yourself and be on the gas in a team that’s really good – a team that’s pretty established that you’re coming into. And he’s found an incredible mix and he’s threaded a very nice needle to assert himself, and not really waver.

“Not being afraid and being on the gas, but also doing it in a way that’s not inappropriate for what the rest of the team is doing. He’s got a great diet on that. It’s really impressive, and he competes on the other side. So he’s really easy to ride with. He had a great game tonight,” Daigneault concluded.

Ajay Mitchell also finished with six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in the Thunder’s 29-point win against the Trail Blazers. The second-year guard has emerged as one of Daigneault’s best players off the bench this season. Mitchell is averaging 14.1 points on 47.1% shooting, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

Chet Holmgren praises the Thunder’s defense against the Blazers

While the Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having another MVP-caliber seasonThe defending champions have the NBA’s best defense this season. Chet Holmgren anchors the Thunder’s frontcourt defense and did so at a high level against the Trail Blazers, finishing with a season-high six blocks in Wednesday’s win.

After the game, Holmgren talked about the Thunder stifling the defense against the Trail Blazers.

“Playing as a unit on that end of the floor, we’re just connected. We’re all flying around. When you do that, you can really speed up teams,” Holmgren said. “But at the same time, you have to be ready to move quickly as well as help each other out because you’re going to give up the lead. When that happens, you just have to be able to cover each other multiple times.”

The Thunder will face the Warriors on Friday.