The OKC Thunder made minimal changes from last season to this one, and they are relying on the same core to carry them as they set out to defend their title.
Their biggest advantage over the competition, however, may be something they didn't have last postseason.
Ajay Mitchell has been an anomaly coming off the bench this season. So much so, in fact, that ESPN recognized him as "the spark plug" in their latest awards acknowledgments.
They cited his lockdown defensive ability, mentioning him in the same tier as teammate Alex Caruso.
Throughout the season, Mitchell has served as the primary understudy to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when the superstar is off the court. OKC has often entrusted him with primary ball-handling duties, and he has consistently been an elite shot creator in crucial moments.
Thunder finally have reliable bench production
Last postseason, Oklahoma City ranked third in bench minutes per game, but just sixth in bench points. While they were not near the bottom of the pack in either category, it was difficult to predict when and where the production from their second unit would come from on a given night.
Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace all registered double-digit-point nights on occasion last postseason, but only Caruso was ever able to repeat this success in back-to-back games.
Now, the emergence of Mitchell has given the Thunder something that they lacked last year: consistent points off the bench.
In the regular season, the sophomore registered double digits in 79.0 percent of games, all while holding opposing scorers to the lowest field goal percentage of any guard in the league with at least 450 shots contested.
This newfound ability might be OKC's' saving grace once their playoff push starts, as their perceived biggest threats in the West, the Nuggets and the Spurs, both have multiple players who are capable of carrying a second unit offense.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has been having a resurgent season in Denver, while Sixth Man of the Year favorite Keldon Johnson has taken over games at times this season.
Mitchell's prowess not only matches that level of production from Western rivals, but his elite defense gives the Thunder a dual-threat sixth man that no other team can claim.
While SGA and company remain the focal point of the Thunder's game plan, their depth has made immense strides since last season, largely thanks to their second-year man.
Mitchell will likely be asked to shoulder a heavy workload when starters rest on the bench, and, if trends continue, he should have no problem rising to the occasion.
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