Mark Daigneault praised Ajay Mitchell after Oklahoma City’s Game 3 blowout, urging him to sharpen efficiency as the series nears a sweep.
The Thunder sent a loud message in Game 3, but Mark Daigneault’s most important takeaway came straight from Ajay Mitchell’s standout night—especially the part that needs improvement.
Oklahoma City overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers in a Saturday blowout, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Mitchell, in his second NBA season, was at the center of the performance, turning big-game moments into production that helped the Thunder seize full control.
Mitchell’s stat line told the story: 24 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, and three steals in 30 minutes. He connected on 10 of 17 from the field, including 2 of 4 from three-point range, and added 2 of 3 at the free-throw line, showing an ability to score while also driving play for others.
Daigneault did more than applaud the numbers.. After the game. he credited Mitchell for stepping up in postseason pressure. while also pointing to a specific area he wants to see trend upward as the playoffs move forward.. The message was clear: Mitchell has been impactful. but he hasn’t been consistently efficient yet. and Daigneault linked that gap to the intensity of playoff basketball.
“He’s been great in the postseason so far, but he hasn’t been overly efficient yet. I think that’s a little bit of the intensity of the games,” Daigneault said, according to the report.
The Thunder’s dominance wasn’t limited to one player.. Seven Oklahoma City players finished in double figures. with Mitchell joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Chet Holmgren. and Cason Wallace among the key scorers.. Gilgeous-Alexander posted 23 points with nine assists. four rebounds. two blocks. and one steal. underscoring how the Thunder turned elite creation into offensive momentum.
Holmgren added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Wallace scored 16. Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe contributed 12 points each, giving Oklahoma City a well-rounded output that made it difficult for Los Angeles to slow multiple threats at once.
A major storyline heading into Game 3 was how the Lakers managed to lead at halftime for the second straight game. Oklahoma City, however, erased that advantage and then flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the hosts 74-49 to take complete control of the matchup.
That turnaround matters heading into what’s next. With Oklahoma City seeking a series sweep, Game 4 is set for Monday, May 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET, with the Thunder traveling to Los Angeles for the next opportunity to close out.
For Mitchell. the challenge Daigneault highlighted is one that often separates impressive postseason runs from truly unstoppable ones: maintaining scoring and playmaking while tightening shot selection and shot quality.. In high-intensity games. defenders compress space and force tough decisions. and the Thunder coach’s comment suggests he believes Mitchell can keep doing the right things—while improving the efficiency that comes with calmer. more selective execution.
More broadly, the Game 3 margin reflects a team identity forming at the right time.. Oklahoma City didn’t merely win; it sustained control after an early gap and then stretched the game into a decisive performance.. With multiple contributors in double digits and a clear second-half surge. the Thunder’s next test will be whether they can replicate that same rhythm on the road as the Lakers adjust.
If Oklahoma City avoids the halftime stumble that has defined the first half of the last two Lakers games. Mitchell’s efficiency note could become a blueprint rather than a warning.. The series is already on the brink. and with Game 4 approaching. the focus shifts from whether the Thunder can dominate to whether they can dominate with even sharper precision.
Oklahoma City Thunder Los Angeles Lakers Ajay Mitchell Mark Daigneault Game 3 NBA playoffs series sweep