Jalen Williams was putting on a clinic Wednesday night - 11-for-11 from the field before his only miss came on a tough layup attempt where he landed awkwardly and limped off the floor. Just like that, his night was over, and now, so is his availability for Thursday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Thunder have ruled him out with a right hamstring injury - the same one that sidelined him for 10 games earlier this season.
That injury history is no small footnote. This is the same hamstring that’s already cost Williams a big chunk of the season, and now it’s flaring up again just as he was finding his rhythm.
In Wednesday’s 136-109 win over the Suns, Williams dropped 28 points with five assists and four rebounds in just 32 minutes - and he didn’t miss a shot until that final drive. It was the kind of performance that reminds you why he’s such a vital piece of what the Thunder are building.
Now, the Thunder - who own the NBA’s best record at 42-13 - will have to navigate the second leg of a back-to-back without one of their most versatile weapons. And while they’ve proven they can win without him, this setback raises some real questions heading into the All-Star break.
How cautious will the team be with his recovery? And how much will they miss his two-way impact in the stretch run?
Williams had just returned from that 10-game absence with a strong showing against the Lakers, scoring 23 points and grabbing three boards in a 119-110 win. He looked fresh, aggressive, and in sync - not always a given after a long layoff.
And then came Wednesday, where he looked even better. Efficient, confident, and in total control.
That kind of scoring consistency does more than just pad the stat sheet - it opens up the floor, draws defenders, and makes life easier for everyone around him. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised that very impact after the Suns game, noting how Williams’ offensive rhythm creates opportunities across the board.
What makes this even more impressive - and frustrating - is that Williams has been stepping up in the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With SGA out, the Thunder turned to Williams to help carry the load, and he answered the call. In back-to-back wins over the Lakers and Suns, he looked like a player ready to make another leap - not just a secondary option, but a reliable force in his own right.
And now, just as quickly, he’s back on the shelf.
This season has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Williams, who’s already missed 30 games due to injury. But when he’s on the floor, his presence is undeniable.
He guards multiple positions, scores efficiently, and plays with a poise that belies his age. The Thunder have depth, sure, but Williams is one of the guys who elevates them from good to great.
With the All-Star break right around the corner, the Thunder have a decision to make. Do they play it safe and give Williams extra time to heal, knowing how important he’ll be in the playoffs?
Or do they try to keep momentum rolling with their core intact? Either way, the hope in OKC is that this is just a precaution - not a long-term concern.
For now, the Thunder will host the Bucks without their All-Defensive forward. But if Williams can get back to the level he showed this week, and stay there, this team’s ceiling only gets higher.