Thunder admittedly still learning how good primary Jalen Williams replacement can be

With Jalen Williams’ latest hamstring pressure, the OKC Thunder have formally turned sophomore Ajay Mitchell because the All-Star’s primary replacement within the beginning lineup.

Thought it’s been well documented simply how spectacular the previous second-round choose has been since going from a two-way hidden gem to a normal rotation participant, right here within the 2026 NBA Playoffs, it appears his teammates are still determining simply how productive he can really be out on the hardwood.

During a latest media session, big man Jaylin Williams admitted to reporters that “a lot of us are still amazed by how good he is,” and particularly famous that he was shocked when seeing after Saturday’s Game 3 win over Phoenix that Mitchell ended the competition with 20 shot makes an attempt, two greater than famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 18.

Now, granted, that is not at all the primary time the purpose guard has been referred to as upon to tackle a bigger function inside the rotation. During the common season, Mitchell began 16 video games for the Thunder, posting spectacular averages of 14.9 factors, 3.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals on 49.4 % capturing from the ground and 41.7 % capturing from deep.

However, that is his first time being tasked with doing so underneath the intense lights of the postseason, all whereas being underneath much more stress to make up for Williams’ manufacturing amid his absence.

To the delight of each followers and his Thunder working mates, it is obvious Mitchell is not shying away from the second.

Ajay Mitchell steps up whereas Chet Holmgren returns for Thunder

With Williams sidelined week-to-week, 13.5 shot makes an attempt per recreation are actually formally up for grabs. Needless to say, Mitchell definitely obtained the memo.

Unfortunately, it appears Chet Holmgren did not.

Despite being this Thunder group’s solely different All-Star subsequent to Gilgeous-Alexander and, in flip, their should-be number-two possibility, of their first full recreation performed with out J-Dub this postseason, the large man fell nicely in need of offensive expectations.

In 29 minutes of motion, Holmgren wrapped up with 10 factors whereas making an attempt simply six pictures. This positioned him fourth on the group within the scoring division and eighth in pictures tried.

Now, in a manner, the truth that Oklahoma City still pulled away with a double-digit win and, in flip, is formally on the verge of pulling off a first-round sweep over the Suns regardless of this lack of offensive manufacturing is spectacular — in any case, it reinforces simply how deep and dominant the Thunder are.

However, Holmgren’s underwhelming aggression and lack of drive to become involved on offense have been pegged as an issue all year long. It’s a tad troubling to see him dip nicely under his season averages (17.1 factors on 11.3 makes an attempt per recreation) at a time when OKC presumably would have preferred him to step up.