Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell has undergone surgery for a right great toe sprain, sidelining him for a significant portion of the NBA regular season. This injury follows a previous injury crisis for the Thunder, who are already without players Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso. Mitchell's expected return will take place in approximately 10 to 12 weeks, which poses a challenge for the team's rotation.

Despite his absence, Mitchell had been making a strong impact in his rookie season, averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. The challenge for the Thunder lies in managing minutes when their injured players return. The coaching staff will have to navigate how to allocate playing time effectively, as there will be limited minutes available once the roster is healthy again.