Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens up about the star that collapsed due to the absence of Jalen Williams

OKLAHOMA CITY — After a 107-101 win against the Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander revealed why Ajay Mitchell, who was the starting third-stringer last season, is thriving amid the absence of Jalen Williams and a 5-0 start. Mitchell’s scoring (18 points) and playmaking off the bench helped his team rally from a 10-point deficit in the second half. Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s free-throw shooting disparity.

Mitchell scored seven of his 18 points in the final frame, where the Thunder regained their biggest lead of 24-20 in the first frame. Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell and the Thunder shut out the Kings on a 17-4 Thunder run. After the victory, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed the hunger he saw in Ajay Mitchell’s approach to the 2025-26 campaign.

“He’s such a competitor that you can tell by his intensity in practice — how he walks around the building,” Gilgeus-Alexander said. “He competes and he wants to go out and play. We’ve seen that since the beginning of the season. He’s stepped into a big role. He’s been like a second ball handler for us. He’s been huge in some really big games against really good teams, and it’s no surprise that he’s come up in those moments.”

As Mitchell entered the press conference room ready to follow Gilgeous-Alexander’s media availability, the MVP told reporters the next step in Ajayi’s ascension this season.

“He pulls up a scouting report every night,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But I think just having the tools helps him. They’re going to have a game plan for them. Then he’s going to have to figure out how to still be himself through the game plan, and usually, the more tools you have, the better off you are. And I think he’s got so many tools that it doesn’t matter what you do there. And he’s just showing the world that you put him in any game, why you can put him in any game. He’s had success so far.”

Jalen Williams’ return date has not yet been set.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bold ‘DNA’ approach to Thunder comeback

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees depth in his teambecause not even a long list of injuries led by All-Stars Jaylen Williams, Isaiah Joe and Chet Holmgren (on Tuesday) could prevent a 5-0 start. For Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s a testament to the Thunder’s mentality to be the next man up as the defending champion.

“That’s just the DNA of this team, this group. We understand how to win basketball games, and tonight was a perfect display,” Gilgeus-Alexander said. “They made shots. We missed shots. We fouled shooters a million times tonight. We had a lot of mental lapses. We battled through it really well as a group and as individuals – kept the game close enough, and then when it was time to win, we did what it took to win.”

The Thunder will host the Wizards on Thursday.