Jalen Williams suffered a major injury blow on Wednesday in Game 2 of the OKC Thunder’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. The former All-NBA nominee picked up a left hamstring problem in the third quarter and left the game. He was questionable to return but was eventually ruled out with the Thunder in the driver’s seat and up by a game-high 26 points early in the fourth.
It’s the third time Williams has suffered a hamstring injury. The first two times were on his right leg, which was one of the main reasons he sat out most of his 49 regular-season games this year. Williams has sustained a left leg injury for the first time. He couldn’t walk freely and limped off the floor right after he pulled it after a layup attempt.
According to NBA injury expert, Dr. Evan Jeffries, Williams could be day-to-day or miss multiple weeks depending on the severity of his injury. Jeffries listed every possibility based on the extent of the injury on X, saying:
“Jalen Williams left tonight’s game with a left hamstring injury. He had TWO right hamstring strains earlier in the year that caused him to miss significant time throughout the season. MRI will determine if there is a hamstring strain and severity. Healing timeline is as follows Tightness: Day to Day Grade I: 1-2 weeks Grade II: 3-6 weeks.”
Hamstring injuries in basketball typically aren’t minor, so Jalen Williams could miss multiple games. It remains to be seen if he’s limited to this series or the second round and beyond.
Mark Diagneault shares initial news on Jalen Williams’ injury
Thunder coach Mark Diagneault shared initial news on Jalen Williams’ injury, saying the Thunder guard aggravated his left hamstring in the third quarter. The team will share updates as appropriate. Diagneault revealed Williams was in great spirits in the locker room and was joking around with his teammates.
“He’s joking around. I dapped him up,” Diagneault Said.
Williams had a solid Game 1 against the Suns with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 60.0% shooting. He had 19 points and four assists in Game 2 on 7 of 11 shots, including 2 of 3 from deep. He was a team-high plus-minus +17 before he left the game.
