Oklahoma City - In a thrilling return to form, Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams showcased his scoring prowess in his fourth game back from a hamstring injury. Head coach Mark Daigneault wasn't surprised by Williams' standout performance, as the Thunder secured a 131-113 victory over the Pistons on Friday. Williams followed up his 18-point game with an impressive 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
Williams played a pivotal role in closing out the Knicks with a 14-5 Thunder run, sealing a nail-biting 111-110 win at the Paycom Center on Sunday night. Daigneault praised Williams' dedication, which began long before he returned to the court.
“Credit to him for the effort he put in post-injury to get back in game shape. That’s tough when you’re not actively playing.
He hit the ground running, and while there are ups and downs after such a break, especially at this time of year, his competitiveness and two-way play are invaluable to us. Tonight, he was outstanding,” Daigneault remarked.
Leading the charge, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and dished out four assists. Chet Holmgren contributed 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Lu Dort added 12 points, including two crucial threes, and snagged a pair of steals.
Mark Daigneault when asked about Jalen Williams’ burst/energy in Thunder’s win versus Knicks: “Give him a lot of credit for the work he did coming out of the injury to get himself in game condition. That’s hard to do when you’re not playing games.
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) March 30, 2026
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Williams opened up about overcoming mental challenges in his initial games back, emphasizing the importance of scoring at a high level. Despite being part of a defending champion team, he gained fresh insights into his teammates' talents.
“You realize the depth of talent we have. When you’re playing, it’s easy to overlook until you’re on the court with different lineups.
It was amazing to see,” Williams shared. “But I’d much rather be on the court than watching from the sidelines.”
Reflecting on his rehabilitation journey, Williams expressed gratitude for returning to action.
“It’s about not taking it for granted. You never know when you’ll play again, and it changed my perspective on basketball,” he said. “Patience was key, and in a way, it’s been a blessing.”
Next up, Mark Daigneault and the Thunder are set to host the Pistons on Monday.