Though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams may be the All-Star headliners for this OKC Thunder squad, through 39 games played in 2025-26, Ajay Mitchell seems to have usurped the latter-mentioned forward as the MVP's most impactful running mate.
Sure, J-Dub has missed roughly just as many games as he's played this season as a result of offseason wrist surgery, and, even now with him back on the floor, he's still clearly far from full strength.
With this in mind, the forward undoubtedly deserves a pass.
However, this doesn't negate the fact that, in the wake of his absence and sub-100 percent play, Mitchell has stepped up to become a true gem of a running mate for Gilgeous-Alexander.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell are a revelation for Thunder
It's well understood that Mitchell finds himself amid a career breakout here in year two, as he's posting sensational, all-around averages of 14.2 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from distance.
However, his individual impact on the team isn't the only reason he deserves serious praise and attention.
Though the guard may be predominantly used as a sixth man for Oklahoma City, when sharing the floor with the reigning MVP, this team has proven to be absolutely lethal in virtually every facet of the game.
With a total of 977 possessions played together so far, when this tandem is on the hardwood the Thunder are placing in the 93 percentile in effective field goal percentage (58.0), 95 percentile in opponents points per 100 possessions (106.7), the 98 percentile in points per 100 possessions (128.1), and the 99 percentile in point differential (+21.4).
To put into perspective just how impressive these numbers are, when comparing them to the All-NBA duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams during their championship-winning campaign just a season ago, it's evident that all of these metrics, both from a percentile and averages standpoint, are superior.
Earlier this season, Mitchell was tabbed by The Athletic's Es Baraheni as someone who "went to the school of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when it comes to basketball," comparing the sophomore's game to the All-World talent.
What's most exciting about all of this is that not only has the youngster shown flashes of providing SGA-esque contributions, but has proven capable of excelling alongside him.
While it should go without saying that the primary dynamic duo of this dynasty-pushing Thunder club is still J-Dub and Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell is making a case for him and the superstar being a close second.