Ajay Mitchell surprising takes on Thunder title defense before Game 1
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell’s elevated function is among the most intriguing storylines of the defending champion’s 2025-26 season. Ahead of the Thunder’s first title defense in franchise historyMitchell is now an integral piece of head coach Mark Daigneault’s rotation. From a third-string guard in his rookie season to one of many first off of Oklahoma City’s bench, Mitchell made large strides in 2025-26.
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Now, Mitchell is eager for Sunday’s Game 1 matchup towards the Phoenix Suns within the Thunder’s first-round collection.
“It’s exciting,” Mitchell stated. “Really just happy to be able to get out there and help this team win. So, it’s fun. Glad I’m fully healthy and ready to go.”
For Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder’s 2025 championship is within the rear-view mirror forward of taking on an elevated function on this yr’s playoff run.
“It’s a new year. So, we’re not looking at it as defending the championship. We’re looking at it as we want to go win the championship,” Mitchell added. “So, we’re just focused on that. Our mindset has been the same throughout the whole year. It’s been the same last year. We’re just focused on winning and getting better, and focusing on what’s in front of us. That’s the first round, playing Phoenix.”
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Thunder title defense
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addressed defending the NBA title forward of this yr’s playoff run. Gilgeous-Alexander reminded reporters of the long road ahead for the Thunder to win back-to-back titles.
“It’s cool. It’s an opportunity. I think just going through last year and realizing it’s so far down the line, so many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals-clinching game,” Gilgeous-Alexander. “To have that opportunity to repeat what we did before is cool. It’s so far. So many things have to go our way that I have to control, and so many things we have to control that are hard to control for a long period of time, for us to really get to have that opportunity.”
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The Thunder will host the Suns on the Paycom Center on Sunday.
Related: Suns news: Grayson Allen, Mark Williams still on injury report for Game 1 vs. Thunder
Related: Suns smashing Warriors locks in Thunder’s lottery odds
