With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined through the All-Star break due to a strained abdominal muscle, the Oklahoma City Thunder are turning to a familiar face to help weather the storm-and just in time. Jalen Williams is officially back in action after being removed from the injury report ahead of Monday’s showdown with the Lakers, and his return couldn’t come at a more critical moment.
Meanwhile, the league has tapped Rockets big man Alperen Sengun to take Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot on the World team for the All-Star festivities, but the focus in OKC is squarely on the court. With their MVP out, Williams is expected to step into the lead role, and given the Thunder’s current situation, they’ll need every bit of what he brings.
Jalen Williams Returns at a Crucial Juncture
Williams’ season has been stop-and-go, to say the least. After missing the first five weeks while recovering from offseason wrist surgery, he returned to the lineup on November 28 and rattled off 24 straight appearances before a hamstring strain sidelined him again for the last 10 games. In that span, the Thunder have gone 5-5-respectable, but not exactly the kind of momentum you want heading into the toughest stretch of your schedule.
Now, with Gilgeous-Alexander out, Oklahoma City needs Williams to be more than just a complementary piece. They need him to be the engine.
And based on his track record, he’s more than capable. Over the past three seasons, Williams has quietly established himself as a high-efficiency, high-impact wing, averaging 19.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from deep.
That kind of production isn’t just helpful-it’s foundational.
The Road Ahead Isn’t Forgiving
The timing of Williams’ return lines up with what was already circled as the Thunder’s most grueling month of the season. Including Monday’s clash with a 32-19 Lakers team, five of their remaining eight games in February are against legitimate playoff contenders. The Cavaliers, Raptors, Pistons, and Nuggets are all on deck, and none of those matchups offer much breathing room.
That’s why having Williams back-especially alongside rising star Chet Holmgren-is such a big deal. Holmgren, fresh off being named an All-Star (just the seventh in OKC franchise history), has brought a new dimension to the Thunder’s frontcourt.
Together, he and Williams have been a problem for opposing teams. In the 22 games they’ve shared the floor this season, OKC has gone 15-7 while posting a +11.0 point differential-good enough for the 93rd percentile leaguewide.
Defensively, they’ve been even stingier, allowing just 106.2 points per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 96th percentile.
That’s not just solid. That’s elite.
Can Williams Carry the Load?
Even at less than full strength, the Thunder have shown they can hang with the league’s elite. But hanging around and winning are two different things. Without their MVP, they’ve dropped two straight, and while the effort has been there, it’s clear they’re missing a top-tier shot creator.
Enter Williams.
Assuming his hamstring holds up, he’s the most logical candidate to fill that void. He has the scoring chops, the playmaking vision, and the two-way versatility to take on a heavier load. And with Holmgren continuing to blossom, the Thunder still have a dynamic one-two punch to lean on.
The next few weeks will test OKC in ways they haven’t been tested this season. But with Williams back in the mix, they’ve got a fighting chance to stay afloat-and maybe even thrive-until their MVP returns.