Nov. 15, 2025 — Oklahoma City, OK — The NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder have added another scoring threat as second-year guard Ajay Mitchell continues a strong start in Jalen Williams’s absence.
Mitchell Steps Up for Oklahoma City
Through 13 games, Mitchell is averaging 16.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while placing sixth league-wide with 1.8 steals per game. Head coach Mark Daigneault has entrusted the former No. 38 overall pick with Williams’s minutes, allowing Mitchell to anchor the offense when MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rests.
“He was breaking out last year before he got hurt,” center Isaiah Hartenstein said, crediting Daigneault’s system for rewarding productive play. Drafted out of UC Santa Barbara in 2024, Mitchell began on a two-way contract before earning a standard deal in February. When Williams returns from wrist surgery, Mitchell is expected to draw attention for both Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player honors.
“Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m gonna do it,” Mitchell said. “With injuries, I have to step up.”
Timberwolves Recall LaMelo Ball’s 2020 Interview
During a recent appearance on Zach Lowe’s podcast, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski revealed that LaMelo Ball’s 2020 pre-draft interview influenced Minnesota’s choice of Anthony Edwards at No. 1. Asked about post-career aspirations, Ball reportedly replied, “I want to be president of the United States,” leaving team officials uncertain whether he was serious or simply disengaged. The encounter helped solidify the franchise’s decision to draft Edwards.
Trail Blazers Hold Players-Only Meeting
After a 24-point loss in Houston on Friday night, the Portland Trail Blazers convened a players-only meeting to prevent further slippage. “Sometimes we’ve got to talk with each other,” forward Deni Avdija said. “We’re like family here, and families have to say what’s on their mind.” It was Portland’s first blowout defeat of the season.
Adelman Questions Nuggets’ Back-to-Backs
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman expressed concern over two early-season stretches in which the team played back-to-back road games starting less than 24 hours apart. “Especially when you’re playing national TV games that are a lot longer, that’s something we all have to talk about,” Adelman said, emphasizing the need for adequate recovery time to maintain player health and game quality.
Source: Hoops Rumors
