Ajay Mitchell Explodes for Career-High 35 Points as Thunder Crush Grizzlies 128-97
Ajay Mitchell delivered the best performance of his NBA career as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a convincing 128-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, picking up their first win in NBA Cup Group B.
Mitchell was outstanding, finishing with a career-high 35 points, five assists and four three-pointers. The guard took full advantage of his opportunity, providing the scoring spark that helped Oklahoma City pull away from Memphis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also played his part with 28 points, four assists and three three-pointers, while Jared McCain added 21 points, five rebounds and four steals. McCain also knocked down three shots from beyond the arc as the Thunder enjoyed contributions from multiple players.
Oklahoma City’s attacking quality proved too much for Memphis, with the Thunder putting together a dominant performance to win by 31 points.
Mitchell’s career night was undoubtedly the biggest talking point. While Gilgeous-Alexander remains the team’s leading offensive presence, performances like this show how dangerous Oklahoma City can become when other players step up and take responsibility.
The victory was particularly important for the Thunder after opening their NBA Cup campaign with a winless record. They now move to 1-0 in West Group B, while their regular-season record improves to 7-2.
Memphis, meanwhile, will be disappointed with the result after struggling to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s offensive production. The Grizzlies fall to 0-1 in NBA Cup Group B and will need to improve defensively if they hope to compete for a knockout-stage place.
For the Thunder, Mitchell’s breakout performance provides another encouraging sign of their depth as they continue their pursuit of another successful season.
