Oklahoma City listed guard Ajay Mitchell as day-to-day on the Sunday, Sept. 6 injury report with a right calf issue, marking his first appearance on this season's report, with an expected return date of Oct. 1. That timeline points to a recovery before the Thunder's regular-season opener against the Pelicans on Oct. 6.
What happened
Oklahoma City's injury report, updated Sunday, Sept. 6 at 4:32 a.m. ET, lists Ajay Mitchell as day-to-day with a right calf issue, his first listing on this season's report. The team's expected return date is Oct. 1, five days before the regular-season opener. According to Bryan Toporek of Forbes, the Thunder's offseason roster shakeup opened additional opportunities in the backcourt after the departures of Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort, context that arrives as Mitchell heads into a larger role.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City opens the 2026-27 season at home against the Pelicans on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with the team sitting at 0-0 since the season has not yet started. Last season Mitchell averaged 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 25.8 minutes across 57 games, production the Thunder will lean on in a backcourt reshaped by the departures of Joe, Wiggins and Dort. In minutes without him last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander logged 33.2 minutes and 31.1 points a game, Jalen Williams played 28.4 minutes and 17.1 points, and Cason Wallace averaged 26.6 minutes and 8.6 points. Jalen Williams is himself day-to-day with a left hamstring issue on the same report.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Mitchell's status changes ahead of the expected Oct. 1 return date, which is not yet a confirmed clearance. No further timeline beyond that date has been announced. The Thunder have five days between that target and the Oct. 6 opener against the Pelicans, and the same report lists Thomas Sorber, Otega Oweh, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams as day-to-day as well.
Is Ajay Mitchell playing vs Pelicans?
Mitchell is day-to-day with a right calf injury and has an expected return date of Oct. 1, five days before Oklahoma City hosts New Orleans on Oct. 6. His status for that game is not announced.
When will Ajay Mitchell be back?
The Thunder's injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1. A more specific timeline has not been announced.