The Oklahoma City Thunder announced a major injury update on Jalen Williams ahead of Tuesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Williams has missed the last two games after exiting Game 2 in the first quarter with a left hamstring injury.
He reaggravated it after injuring it for the first time in Game 2 of the Thunder’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. Williams missed the next six games before returning in Game 1 of the conference finals. Oklahoma City would have hoped to manage his minutes, but the game went into double overtime and Williams played 37 minutes.
Seven minutes into Game 2, Williams reinjured himself and has been out again. According to the Thunder’s injury reports for Games 3 and 4, Williams initially was listed as questionable due to left hamstring soreness. However, ahead of Game 5, the Thunder have announced a rather concerning update. Williams’ injury designation has changed from a hamstring soreness to a strain.
A strain is worse than a sore hamstring, which means Williams’ playing on Tuesday night is unlikely. There’s a chance he doesn’t return this series and potentially the finals if the Thunder advance. It’s a significant blow for Oklahoma City.
Chet Holmgren hasn’t played like a reliable No. 2 option, averaging 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, shooting 46.9% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range. In their two losses, the Thunder have struggled to generate offense outside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to face aggressive defensive coverages.
As a secondary ball-handler, playmaker and scorer, Jalen Williams’ presence would have eased the pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander far more than anyone else on the roster. The Thunder have survived with their role players stepping up, but their worst fears came true in Game 4 when nobody, including Gilgeous-Alexander, could get going.
The reigning MVP finished with 19 points, seven assists and four turnovers, shooting 6-for-15 from the field. Oklahoma City shot 33.3% from the field as a team.
Shams Charania reports Jalen Williams is progressing in his on-court workouts amid hamstring injury trouble
Despite the Thunder saying that Jalen Williams has a hamstring strain, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that the forward is progressing in his on-court workouts. Charania said William has done more and more since he reinjured himself for the second time in one month.
However, he suggested that Williams remains unlikely to play. The Thunder have been cautious about it before, and likely more now, as Williams is dealing with his third hamstring injury of the season. He injured his right hamstring in January and sat out two months before returning in March.
Having won two games this series without Williams in the lineup, despite the Game 4 loss, the Thunder will remain confident of winning Tuesday’s game in front of their home crowd.
