As epic as the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs was, they didn’t leave unscathed. The WWE-level physcality has seen both teams have their fair share of injury hits in this seismic Western Conference Finals.
Committing a hard foul to stop Stephon Castle from getting a breakaway layup, Mitchell was handed a flagrant foul. The third-quarter play resulted in a mini-scuffle by both sides. It also ended as the 23-year-old’s last possession as he checked out for the final time. He finished with two points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.
The Thunder and Spurs continue to play a rockfight of a playoff series. The former has taken offense at the latter’s physical style of defense. To the point that Julian Champagnie said San Antonio has to match OKC’s bruising fashion to be the league’s best defense.
Already without Jalen Williams as he deals with a fourth hamstring strain in five months, Mitchell exited with a mysterious injury. He had previously dealt with a quad scare in the final moments of OKC’s Game 2 win over the Spurs. They dodged a bullet then, but could be without him for Game 4.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed Mitchell’s Game 3 injury. Shouldn’t be a shocker, but he kept his cards close to the vest. The reigning NBA champions will refer to the injury report when it comes to what his Game 4 status could be.
“No update on either guy. I don’t even know, to be point honest,” Daigneault said. “Well, I know, but I’m not giving an update on it. It’ll be a listing tonight.”
Stating the obvious, but the Thunder need Mitchell. He’s started in place of Williams in seven playoff games this year. And while he’s struggled to be an efficient scorer against the Spurs, OKC badly needs the ball-handler to suit up. They’re running out of bodies at this rate.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Mark Daigneault addresses Ajay Mitchell’s Game 3 injury against Spurs