Ajay Mitchell Cleared for Thunder's Opening Night vs Rockets

• oleh Agus Setiawan
• Okt, 22 2025

Ajay Mitchell, point guard of Oklahoma City Thunder was officially removed from the injury report on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, just hours before the Thunder welcome the Houston Rockets to Paycom Center for the season‑opening showdown.

The 22‑year‑old guard suffered a left‑ankle tweak during the third preseason game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, October 18. He managed 16 points, one rebound, three assists, two steals and a block in a 15‑minute burst before a trainer helped him off the floor. Rylan Stiles of SI.com confirmed the clearance, noting that the medical staff saw “progressive improvement” after daily evaluations by head team physician Dr. Donald Unger.

Preseason injury and recovery

Mitchell’s ankle incident came at a tricky moment. The Thunder had already lost Jalen Williams (wrist surgery) and were nursing minor ankle woes on Alex Caruso. Yet the coaching staff kept a close eye on Mitchell, with head athletic trainer Eric Sorber logging his weight‑bearing exercises each day. By Monday, October 21, the player was walking without limp, and the team’s official communication said his ankle was “stable enough for competitive play.”

"We’re relieved to have Ajay back," said Thunder assistant coach Mark Daigneault. "He’s a spark off the bench, and his quickness energizes the second unit. We’ll see how his minutes shape up, but the door’s open."

Season opener: Thunder vs Rockets

The matchup, marked as OKC‑Rockets season openerPaycom Center, will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT. Betting odds from CBS Sports list Oklahoma City as a 6.5‑point favorite with an over/under of 225.5 points.

Beyond the numbers, the game carries symbolism. The Thunder, fresh off a championship banner‑raising ceremony, will debut new rings and celebrate their title run. For the Rockets, the night is a somber one: lead guard Fred VanVleet is out for the entire season with an ACL tear, and small forward Dorian Finney‑Smith also sits out.

Thunder's injury report and rotation challenges

While Mitchell’s name crossed off the list, the Thunder’s roster list reads more like a “who’s out” announcement:

• Jalen Williams – OUT (off‑season wrist surgery)
• Isaiah Joe – OUT (undisclosed)
• Kenrich Williams – OUT (undisclosed)
• Nikola Topic – OUT (ankle soreness)
• Thomas Sorber – OUT (draft‑year development)

Coach Daigneault faces a puzzle: with five wings and backs out, the usual rotation crumbles. Mitchell, even cleared, will likely see limited snaps as the Thunder lean on veteran guard Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and forward Chet Holmes to carry the load. The former is expected to start, while the latter could see early‑game minutes.

What this means for OKC's championship hopes

The Thunder entered the 2025‑26 season with lofty expectations after their title run. General manager Sam Presti has emphasized depth, but the current injury slate tests that depth. Analysts from RotoWire warn that “the biggest question isn’t whether Mitchell plays, but whether the Thunder can sustain the intensity without their full bench.”

That said, the cleared guard offers a “boost to morale,” according to Rylan Stiles. Even a few minutes of his 3‑point shooting could stretch the floor and give the Thunder a tactical edge. If Mitchell can stay healthy, he adds a secondary ball‑handler, a role that proved valuable in the playoffs when the team needed to rotate fresh legs.

Beyond the court, the opening night also serves as a litmus test for the Thunder’s new front office initiatives, including a revamped sports‑science department led by Dr. Donald Unger. Their ability to manage injuries in real time could set a precedent for the rest of the league.