Ajay

Mitchell

Gilgeous-Alexander is back after sitting out Friday’s comeback win over the Grizzlies. His return means that Ajay Mitchell heads to the bench, but the second-year guard is worth holding onto in deep leagues.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unavailable for Friday’s game, which led to a spot start for Mitchell. Despite coming off the bench on most nights, the second-year guard has been productive enough to merit being rostered in some 12-team formats, so Friday’s output was unsurprising. Over the past two weeks, Mitchell has offered top-75 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. If SGA remains out for Sunday’s game against the Heat, fantasy managers should not hesitate to stream Mitchell if he’s sitting on the waiver wire.

The Thunder are without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein for Friday’s game, to name a few of the absentees. Mitchell and Carlson move into the starting lineup, and while the former should already be rostered in some 12-team leagues, the latter is worth streaming in deeper formats.

Gilgeous-Alexander is good to go after initially being questionable for Wednesday’s game. He’ll look to lead the Thunder to a far better performance than what they produced in Monday’s blowout loss to the Hornets. Ajay Mitchell will remain with the bench unit, but he has offered solid fantasy value throughout the season.

SGA is a late addition to the injury report with right knee bursitis, putting his chances of taking the court seriously in doubt. If the reigning MVP is unable to play against Utah, Ajay Mitchell is a candidate to replace him in the starting five, with Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe taking on some more minutes.

Due to a sore right knee, Wallace exited Friday’s win over the Warriors just before halftime and did not return. If he’s unable to play against Phoenix, more minutes become available to Ajay Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, with the former likely starting for the injured Isaiah Hartenstein.

Mitchell suffered a shin injury during Sunday’s win over the 76ers, but that won’t keep him out of Monday’s game. Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins will still play plenty, but Mitchell offers the most fantasy value of the four reserves.

Mitchell was forced out of action early in Sunday’s win over the 76ers, and he’s in danger of sitting out the second leg of Oklahoma City’s back-to-back set. Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins are all candidates for increased run if Mitchell is forced to sit out.

Mitchell took a beating during the second half of Sunday’s blowout victory, appearing to suffer two separate lower-body injuries before heading back to the locker room during the fourth quarter. The second-year guard played 20 minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points, one rebound, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers. If Mitchell cannot play in Monday’s game against the Hawks, his minutes will likely be absorbed by Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.

Joe played five first-half minutes before exiting due to a sore neck. He has since been ruled out for the rest of the game, with Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins in line to absorb the available minutes.