For the second time this season, Oklahoma City Thunder's Ajay Mitchell set a new career high with 35 points in a 128-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. While Mitchell has often been the second-leading scorer since the Thunder lost three starters due to long-term injures, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 28 points on 11-for-22 shooting.

Mitchell addressed his approach during his postgame media availability.

“I was just trying to be aggressive out there; see what the defense would give us, and just try to play the game,” Mitchell said. “Every night is going to be different. So, I just go into every game with the same mindset, going out there and playing, and not worrying about anything else.”

Thunder's Ajay Mitchell went 14-for-20 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from deep, and finished with five assists, and one rebound. Oklahoma City is 4-2 since losing Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and All-Star Chet Holmgren to their respective injuries. Williams and Wallace will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season, and Holmgren is expected to miss 8-to-10 weeks with a right knee injury.

For Mitchell, staying focus to every detail is vital for the shot-handed Thunder's success this season.

“Staying confident no matter what's going on,” Mitchell said. “I know the amount of work I put in. So, when I go out there and it's not falling, I'm not worried. I'm really focused on just helping this team win. Every possession matters. So, for me, it's trying to move on really quick to the next one. No matter if shots are going or not. That's really been my mindset these past two years. I try to keep it like that.”

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Mitchell is averaging 26.0 points on 56.6/38.5/76.5 shooting splits, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across his last three games. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault commended his team for stringing together wins without most of its core players.

“I thought we got our feet underneath us,” Daigneault said. “And gained some confidence. It was obviously a tough week. We have kind of a new collection of guys. We have to learn each other. I have to learn that, and that took a little bit of calibration, but the guys are doing a great job.”

The Thunder will host the Washington Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday.