Jalen Williams Eases Thunder Fans’ Fears After Scary Collision in Win Over Lakers
For a moment on Monday night, it looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder’s injury-riddled season might be taking another hit. Jalen Williams, fresh off a three-week absence, went down clutching his surgically repaired wrist after a hard collision with Lakers big man Deandre Ayton. The sight was enough to make Thunder fans hold their breath - and rightfully so.
This is a team that’s been battling the injury bug all season long. And Williams? He’s been right in the thick of it.
But after the game, the 24-year-old forward delivered the words OKC fans were desperate to hear: “It feels great.” Williams told reporters that while the wrist got jammed up during the collision, the pain faded quickly and there’s no lingering issue. Just like that, a wave of relief swept through Thunder Nation.
A Much-Needed Break From Bad News
Let’s be honest - the Thunder haven’t had many clean bills of health this season. Williams missed the first 19 games of the year while rehabbing that same wrist.
Then, after playing in 24 straight, he was sidelined again with a hamstring strain. Monday’s game against the Lakers was his first back in the lineup.
And he didn’t just return - he made an impact. Williams played a key role in the Thunder’s 119-110 win over Los Angeles, showcasing the kind of late-game poise and shot-making that made him an All-Star. But when he went down, grabbing at that wrist, it felt like déjà vu all over again.
Given the context, the concern wasn’t just understandable - it was expected.
Injury Woes Piling Up in OKC
Williams isn’t the only one who’s been bitten by the injury bug in OKC. In fact, he’s one of eight rotation players to miss double-digit games this season. He, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams have each missed over 20 games, and the Thunder currently sit among the top three teams in the NBA in total games lost to injury.
It’s been that kind of season for the defending champs - a constant juggling act just to put a healthy roster on the floor.
Things reached a boiling point last week when the Thunder dressed only eight players for a nationally televised game against the Spurs. That short-handed lineup raised enough eyebrows that the NBA reportedly launched an investigation into the team’s player availability for that game.
But let’s not ignore the circumstances: it was OKC’s third game in four nights, in a third different city, and several key players - including Williams, rookie Ajay Mitchell, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - were already dealing with legitimate injuries. The hope is that the league will take all of that into account before making any judgments.
Back to Business - and Breathing Easier
For now, though, the Thunder can exhale. Williams is okay.
The wrist is intact. And if he can stay on the floor, that’s a huge boost for a team still trying to find rhythm in a season filled with stops and starts.
Williams’ return - and the way he downplayed the injury scare - is a reminder of what he means to this team. He’s a two-way force, a glue guy with star power, and someone who can swing games in crunch time. If OKC is going to make another deep run this spring, they’re going to need him healthy and rolling.
Monday night may have brought a scare, but it ended with a win and a sigh of relief. For the Thunder, that’s a step in the right direction.