Ajay Mitchell shines in the absence of Jalen Williams

The fact that Shai Giljus-Alexander is the best scorer of his team (45 points on average) in these first two matches of the regular season will not surprise anyone. On the other hand, he is third, with 21 units per match Ajay Mitchellit is rather surprising.

The Belgian is using the minutes left by Jalen Williams, injured and absent, to shine. He scored 16 points against the Rockets. and in Indianahe did even better with 26 points (9/19 shooting and 8/8 free throws). Simply, the best in his career.

“This Thursday is my grandmother’s birthday, who died last year. It was special for me and I thought about her all night. I’m happy that I played for her like that.”, he confided.

I’m not impressed with the pressure

Even more than his personal best, Ajay Mitchell was decisive for his team in a close match. He scored 8 points in the last quarter, then 5 in double overtime. His baskets and free throws were important in keeping the Thunder alive.

“From the beginning of the season, my teammates told me to be aggressive, to have self-confidence, to create. I look at what the team needs. Well, that was creation.”he says. “He’s a very good player. He has feeling. With him you feel like you’re playing a match outside. It doesn’t need to be called systems, nor does it need too much structure. He plays, he finds solutions.”adds Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The one who told us in an interview that he wanted, after the extension of this summer, “somehow give back what they gave me”so had a great first week. Which is no surprise to his coach.

“We are not surprised by his actions, we have seen it before, and his teammates have great confidence in him and his talent. His consistency is exceptional, in two difficult environments.”notes Mark Daigneault. “The first night, there’s a ceremony, a ring, it’s not easy to play. And here’s the first away game, in a complicated context. He didn’t falter in any match. Sometimes guys can be impressed, but that’s not the case for him.”

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=1J4pzHnDeV4

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.