After a three-week layoff, Jalen Williams returned to the court and didn’t just shake off the rust - he helped the Oklahoma City Thunder secure a 119-110 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The third-year forward looked like a player eager to make up for lost time, dropping 23 points, including 10 in a pivotal fourth quarter that helped OKC hold off a late Lakers push.
Williams was especially effective at the line, knocking down a career-best 11-of-13 free throws - a sign of both his aggressiveness and composure in high-leverage moments. For a player working his way back from a hamstring injury, that kind of assertiveness is encouraging. And while he grimaced after taking a hard foul from Lakers big man Deandre Ayton, Williams said postgame that his surgically repaired right wrist - which sidelined him for the first 19 games of the season - is feeling better than it has in nearly a year.
“It feels great,” Williams said. “The three weeks [off] were actually great for me.
That was the first time that I shot like that since April 8th of last year. So that was really dope.
My hand feels good. I just got jammed up with Ayton, and that was pretty much it.
It's honestly the best it's been since then.”
Williams credited the time off not just for helping the hamstring heal, but for giving his wrist the extra recovery time it needed. He also pointed to the reps he was able to get in while sidelined, saying they played a big part in his strong return.
Statistically, it wasn’t his most efficient night - Williams went 6-for-17 from the field - but he made his presence felt in other ways, chipping in three rebounds, an assist, and a steal. More importantly, he led a balanced Thunder attack that featured seven players scoring in double figures.
The bench was a big part of that story. Isaiah Joe lit it up with 19 points, including four threes on eight attempts, while Alex Caruso added 17 of his own. Together, they combined for 36 points off the bench, giving Oklahoma City the kind of second-unit production that can swing games - especially without their usual go-to guy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Chet Holmgren continued his steady two-way presence with a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), while rookie Cason Wallace filled up the box score with 12 points, six assists, and two steals. Jaylin Williams also chipped in 11 points in a solid outing off the bench.
For Jalen Williams, the return couldn’t have been better timed. With Gilgeous-Alexander out, the Thunder needed someone to step up, and Williams - along with the rest of the supporting cast - answered the call. But he was quick to deflect praise, pointing to the team’s chemistry and consistency as the real difference-makers.
“The biggest support is that it's very fun to see them, while I'm not playing, still play well,” Williams said. “That gives me a lot of confidence - to go in there and not feel like the weight of the world is on me; that's nice. We just all get along so well.”
That camaraderie, Williams said, made the rehab process easier and the return to game action smoother. Whether he was practicing, watching from the bench, or just being around the team, the energy of the group helped keep him locked in.
“They may not have to say anything encouraging,” he added. “Just the energy that they've had throughout this season makes it fun for me to go into work and just be around basketball, whether I was playing or not.”
With Williams back in the fold and the Thunder continuing to get key contributions across the board, this young squad is showing the kind of depth and resilience that could make them a tough out down the stretch. Next up: a road matchup with the Suns on Wednesday - and with Williams back, OKC’s momentum is building at just the right time.