The OKC Thunder announced that Ajay Mitchell will be available to make his return during a home game against the Denver Nuggets at 6:30 p.m. CT Monday.
Mitchell has missed the last 20 games due to a combination of an abdominal strain and a left ankle sprain. The sophomore guard is averaging career highs of 14.1 points, 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds this season on 48.7% shooting from the field (35% from deep).
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OKC (50-15) will gain another playmaker and shot creator with Mitchell’s return. He has also made strides defensively, making him one of the more well-rounded players on the roster at only 23 years old.
OKC will continue to be without Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion) and Branden Carlson (low back strain) on Monday. Chet Holmgren (flu) and Alex Caruso (left hip contusion) are also listed as questionable.
More: Why Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is no longer NBA’s best-kept secret: ‘He’s cold’
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors argues a call during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Al Horford #20 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball while being defended by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors attemps a shot in front of Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball in front of Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors finishes a slam dunk during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot in front of Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball in front of Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot in front of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot in front of Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Gui Santos #15 and Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts a shot in front of Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball while being defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors photos
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to drive past Lj Cryer #18 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center on March 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell available to make return vs. Nuggets