The Thunder cleared guard Ajay Mitchell on Thursday, ending the Day-To-Day stretch he had been on since Sept. 6. He is now available for Oklahoma City's game against the Pelicans on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
What happened
The Thunder's injury report moved Ajay Mitchell to Cleared on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 1:50 p.m. ET. He had been Day-To-Day since Sept. 6, when he first appeared on the report with a right calf issue. The report lists no comment on the clearance and no additional detail beyond the status change. Mitchell, 24, is not the only Thunder guard on the report: Thomas Sorber is Day-To-Day with a right knee issue and Otega Oweh is Day-To-Day with a left lower-leg issue, both unrelated to Mitchell's case.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City is 0-0 with the 2026-27 season not yet underway, and its next game is Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET against the Pelicans. Mitchell comes off a 2025-26 season in which he played 57 games, averaging 25.8 minutes, 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. In games without him, the backcourt load has fallen to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 33.2 minutes and 31.1 points, with Isaiah Joe at 21.2 minutes and 11.1 points and Cason Wallace at 26.6 minutes and 8.6 points also seeing extended time. With Mitchell cleared, the Thunder get a rotation piece back ahead of that stretch.
What to watch
No expected return timeline was needed since Mitchell has been cleared rather than ruled out. The next injury report will show whether his status holds through Tuesday's game against the Pelicans, Oklahoma City's next scheduled contest. Thomas Sorber and Otega Oweh remain Day-To-Day on the same report and are worth tracking as the Thunder approach the start of the season.
Is Ajay Mitchell playing vs Pelicans?
He is cleared as of the Thursday, Oct. 1 injury report, with no Day-To-Day tag remaining, ahead of Oklahoma City's Tuesday, Oct. 6 game against the Pelicans.
When will Ajay Mitchell be back?
He is already back. The Thunder cleared him on Oct. 1 after listing him Day-To-Day since Sept. 6, and no further absence has been announced.