It’s going to be a quieter-than-expected All-Star weekend for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What was shaping up to be a celebratory showcase for one of the league’s most promising young teams has been dialed back due to injuries. As it stands, only one Thunder player is expected to take part in the 2026 NBA All-Star festivities.
The league announced Tuesday that Ajay Mitchell has been ruled out of the Rising Stars Challenge due to an abdominal strain. He’ll be replaced by Zaccharie Risacher on Tracy McGrady’s squad in the four-team mini-tournament that features top rookies, second-year players, and select G League talent.
That event tips off Friday, Feb. 13.
Mitchell’s absence is a tough blow, not just for the Thunder, but for fans who’ve watched him blossom into a key contributor in OKC’s rotation. The 23-year-old has turned heads in his rookie season, averaging 14.1 points on an efficient 48.7% shooting clip, along with 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He’s become a steady presence off the bench, often running the second unit and playing a complementary scoring role alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
But Mitchell hasn’t suited up since Jan. 21, when he sustained the abdominal injury during a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Tuesday’s injury update confirms he’ll be sidelined through at least the next couple of games, meaning he likely won’t return until after the All-Star break.
And he’s not the only Thunder player watching from the sidelines.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team’s All-NBA centerpiece, will also miss All-Star weekend as he continues to deal with an abdominal strain of his own. The injury is expected to keep him out for at least five games, putting a pause on what’s been another stellar season for the Thunder’s franchise player.
That leaves Chet Holmgren as OKC’s lone All-Star weekend representative. The versatile big man will be featured in both Saturday’s Shooting Stars competition and Sunday’s All-Star Game. It’s a well-earned spotlight for Holmgren, who’s been a two-way force and a major reason the Thunder have been hanging near the top of the Western Conference.
While the Thunder’s All-Star presence has been thinned out by injuries, the bigger picture remains unchanged: this is a young, ascending team with multiple foundational pieces. Mitchell’s emergence, Gilgeous-Alexander’s continued excellence, and Holmgren’s rise all point to a bright future. For now, though, OKC will use the break to get healthy - and hopefully return at full strength for the stretch run.