Ajay Mitchell (ankle) questionable vs. Sacramento

Williams, who played 26 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, returns to the starting lineup. As a result, Alex Caruso will come off the bench after making a spot start in Portland. The other four starters are unchanged.

Mitchell will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury. Alex Caruso started Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers and should hold onto that role. He is worth streaming with Mitchell out.

Mitchell missed Wednesday’s game against Portland, which allowed Alex Caruso to slide into the starting unit. Caruso contributed 14 points, three steals and four triples in the loss and would be worth streaming if Mitchell ends up missing another game.

For the first time in his young NBA career, Mara played over 30 minutes in a game. He logged 32 minutes against the Trail Blazers, but the final stat line wasn’t strong enough to make the rookie a must-start in all leagues. Mara replaced Kenrich Williams (11/2/2 with one block and two three-pointers) in the starting lineup, and who starts moving forward may be dictated by the opposition’s rotation.

The Thunder didn’t have Ajay Mitchell for Wednesday’s game, opening a spot in the starting lineup for Caruso. He took advantage of the opportunity, shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Caruso’s 14 points were a new season high for him, as he totaled 17 points in the first four games he played upon returning from an ankle injury. If Mitchell remains out for Friday’s game against the Clippers, Caruso would be worth rostering in 14-team leagues and some 12-team leagues.

The Thunder have made two changes to the lineup that started Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. With Ajay Mitchell out, Caruso moves into the starting lineup. The other change is Mara, who replaces Kenrich Williams.

Mitchell will be sidelined for the second night of OKC’s back-to-back, which will open up a spot in the starting unit. Alex Caruso, Micah Peavy and Nique Clifford are all candidates to take on more minutes, with one of them likely to start.

Mitchell has scored in double figures in five straight and nine of his last 10 games. Injuries that have beset the Thunder this season have created more opportunities for the third-year guard, who is averaging a career-high 18.5 points per game and providing top-100 fantasy value. As long as Mitchell stays healthy, he’s capable of maintaining his current production all season long.

Mitchell topped 20 points for the fifth time in the last six games, delivering his second 30-point effort of the season, as he continues to see an exponentially larger role than originally anticipated for the injury-depleted Thunder, who are currently without Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren. The 24-year-old knocked down 9-of-11, including 3-of-3 from long range, to pour in a game-high 21 first-half points. The Grizzlies had zero answers for the Thunder backcourt as Mitchell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jared McCain supplied 75 of their 98 points through three quarters. Mitchell has delivered top-50 range fantasy value during the first couple weeks of the season and should be rostered until further notice. The Thunder are back in action with a home matchup against the Wizards on Saturday.

While the Thunder are without multiple starters, it appears they’ll be counting on Mitchell for significant scoring. He has at least 20 points in four of his last five games, showing he may be up to the challenge. Mitchell’s fantasy floor has certainly risen given his situation. OKC will have the day off Thursday before taking on the Grizzlies Friday.