Who’s Been the Best Role Player for Each NBA Conference Finals Team?
While the star players grab the headlines, multiple standout role players made crucial plays to put their respective teams in the Conference Finals. Ajay Mitchell (Thunder), Dylan Harper (Spurs), Mikal Bridges (Knicks), and Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers) each came up big in the semifinals to keep their team’s season alive. The film shows how these four players all provided something different from a strategic standpoint.
Ajay Mitchell Stepped up for the Thunder Mitchell had his coming-out party against the Lakers. He scored 24 points or more twice in the regular season. In Game 3, he scored 24 points and then set his career high of 28 points in Game 4.
His ability to get downhill was a massive part of the Thunder’s offense. pic. twitter.
com/OIG1k0NoUl — Mac (@macpham26) May 18, 2026 On the isolation, Mitchell gets a favorable switch with Austin Reaves on him, and with a quick crossover, he blows by him. Mitchell reads and reacts — sees Rui Hachimura trap the box and Mitchell doesn’t over-penetrate to get his shot off. The result is a double clutch bucket, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reaction says it all.
Speaking of Gilgeous-Alexander, the Lakers trapped him most of the series, which allowed Mitchell to get plenty of one-on-one opportunities. Here’s a situational play that Mitchell executes: pic. twitter.
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