Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Ajay Mitchell established himself as a reliable spark off the bench during the 2025-26 campaign, finishing fifth in the league’s Sixth Man of the Year voting. With short odds and strong momentum heading into the new season, Mitchell appeared well-positioned to make a serious run at the honor. However, his path to the trophy may involve overcoming competition not just from across the league, but from within his own locker room.
Sharpshooter Jared McCain joined the Thunder midway through last season and delivered solid minutes, but he has quickly elevated his game to new heights. McCain underscored his readiness for a breakout campaign during the Thunder’s season opener, exploding for 20 points while shooting an impressive 6-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc. His impact extended far beyond the scoring column; the Thunder were plus-20 when McCain was on the floor, marking the highest differential of any player on the roster. Mitchell recorded the second-highest plus-minus of the night at plus-12.
While Mitchell turned in a respectable stat line that included five rebounds and a team-high six assists, he struggled to find his rhythm offensively. The guard managed just four points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field. On the defensive end, Mitchell surrendered a 50.0 defensive field goal percentage when contesting shots, marking an uptick from his 44.0 percent defensive clip during the previous season. Even with a more efficient shooting night, eclipsing McCain’s performance would have proved difficult as the former Blue Devil dominated the perimeter from start to finish.
McCain’s stellar opening night was far from an isolated flash of potential. His trajectory under head coach Mark Daingeault has pointed upward for months. After logging an average of just 5.3 minutes per contest during the Thunder’s opening playoff series last year, McCain steadily earned the coaching staff’s trust. His workload expanded significantly by the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, where his playing time jumped to 25.4 minutes per game, cementing his status as a vital rotation piece.
Despite McCain’s rapid ascent and dominant opening display, Mitchell remains among the leading favorites to capture the Sixth Man of the Year award. If both guards sustain their high level of play and remain in contention for the league’s top reserve honor throughout the 82-game schedule, it points to a formidable bench asset for Oklahoma City. Thunder supporters can look forward to deploying one of the most dynamic second units in the league on a nightly basis, with McCain firmly establishing himself as a central pillar of the team’s perimeter attack.
