Ajay

Mitchell

Oklahoma City’s season came to an end on Saturday, as they dropped Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to the Spurs. And with that, the front office has decisions to make regarding the futures of Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams. Each has a team option for next season, with Dort’s being worth a little over $17.7 million. The defensive stalwart hopes to remain with the lone team that he’s played for since entering the NBA in 2019. “The conversation hasn’t happened yet,” Dort said when asked about his team option. “I have a lot of trust in this organization, in Sam (Presti). Really grateful for all the stuff he did for me to this point. I want to stay here. This organization, this city, shaped me as a player. My main goal is to stay here.” Dort has not been a consistently impactful option for fantasy managers in recent seasons. Still, his future in Oklahoma City could affect the ceilings of Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain. If the Thunder were to move on from Dort, there would be an opening in the starting lineup to fill.

Saturday’s series finale will be the fourth consecutive game that Mitchell has missed since straining his right calf during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Jalen Williams (hamstring) is also out for Game 7, which means the Thunder will once again lean heavily on Jared McCain. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Joe also have added importance due to the absences.

Mitchell will miss a third straight game when the Thunder try to close out the Spurs on Thursday. Mitchell had performed like one of OKC’s best scorers through the first two rounds of the postseason, but hasn’t found his rhythm in the Western Conference Finals. Jared McCain will likely remain in the starting lineup with Mitchell sidelined.

McCain’s insertion into the opening unit didn’t necessarily lead to a fast start individually — he logged only two points of 1-of-5 shooting over the first two quarters. However, he would proceed to score nine points in each of the third and fourth quarters to finish as one of three Thunder players to reach the 20-point mark. There’s no telling when Jalen Williams (hamstring) or Ajay Mitchell (calf) will return from injuries. Regardless, McCain’s production in this series should keep him firmly in the nightly rotation with a large role.

Williams’ third straight absence puts the Thunder in a tougher spot, as they’ll also be without Ajay Mitchell (calf). Williams hasn’t played since Game 2 of the series, logging just seven first-quarter minutes before being ruled out the rest of the way. His presence will be missed, placing extra importance on players such as Jared McCain, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe to fill the void in production for a Thunder team looking to protect homecourt and take a 3-2 series lead.

Mitchell moved into the starting lineup for Game 3 of the series with Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined. He suffered a right calf strain and was ruled out for Game 4 and Game 5. Cason Wallace started Game 4 and might have to start Game 5 too with Williams listed as questionable.

Mitchell, who exited Friday’s Game 3 victory after suffering a lower-body injury during the third quarter, has been diagnosed with a strained right calf. The second-year guard started Game 3 for the injured Jalen Williams (hamstring), so the Thunder may need another player to move into the lineup for Game 4. Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points on Friday and should figure prominently in the rotation for Game 4.

Daigneault wouldn’t elaborate when asked what kind of injury Mitchell was dealing with, though he confirmed he would be listed on the injury report. Mitchell moved into the starting lineup for Game 3 with Jalen Williams (hamstring) out, but had only two points in 17 minutes. Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams will continue to see increased minutes if Mitchell, Williams or both are out for Game 4.

Mitchell is moving into the starting lineup with Jalen Williams (hamstring) sidelined for Game 3. The 23-year-old shooting guard had 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench in the Thunder’s win over the Spurs in Game 2. Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe and Jaren McCain could also see increased minutes with Williams out.

Williams is off the Thunder’s injury report ahead of the Western Conference Finals, meaning the team’s rotation will be complete for Game 1. Ajay Mitchell has performed well as J-Dub’s replacement in the starting lineup, and the second-year guard will figure prominently in the bench unit.