The Los Angeles Lakers came into their semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a single-minded game plan to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That scarcely mattered in the end, as even without Jalen Williams, the Thunder just had Ajay Mitchell to rely on.
Mitchell has looked like a star throughout the Lakers series, and in their series-clinching 115-110 victory in Game 4 to complete the sweep, Mitchell had himself another incredible outing, scoring 28 points on 12-19 shooting from the field and recording four steals as well.
The 23-year-old guard has shown all season long that he can step up and be the Thunder's primary offensive weapon what with their opponents gearing up to slow down the reigning MVP at all costs. And even Gilgeous-Alexander's head has been turned by this breakout from Mitchell, as he ended up calling his backcourt mate the team's best player in their 4-0 sweep of the Lakers.
“You could say he’s been our best player this series,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Mitchell in his postgame interview with Allie Clifton of Prime.
“You could say he’s been our best player this series.” 🤝
SGA joins @RealAClifton to give Ajay Mitchell his flowers after he puts on another brilliant performance in Game 4 💐 pic.twitter.com/OKGBP4rOQV
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 12, 2026
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It's hard to argue against the idea that Mitchell has, indeed, been their best player in this Lakers series. He averaged 22.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in four games against LA, and he was their rock on offense as Gilgeous-Alexander went through some uncharacteristically rough shooting nights.
Mitchell shot 56.3 percent from the field throughout the series, and it's become difficult to remember that he was drafted in the second round (38th overall pick) back in the 2024 NBA Draft.
It's becoming hard to shake the notion that Mitchell is a star in the making; his composure on the ball and his ability to create shots, particularly from midrange and when driving to the basket, is eerily reminiscent of Jalen Brunson in his earlier days with the Dallas Mavericks.
Brunson has since blossomed into one of the best players in the NBA, and Mitchell, with what he showed for the Thunder in the Lakers series, is flashing a similar level of potential.
The Los Angeles Lakers came into their semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a single-minded game plan to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That scarcely mattered in the end, as even without Jalen Williams, the Thunder just had Ajay Mitchell to rely on.