Jalen Williams, the guard/forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, sustained an ankle injury during Friday night’s preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Williams had to leave the game early due to this injury. He just played 13 minutes in the victory, but he had three assists, one rebound, and 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Although there was some worry over the injuries, Williams was given good news.
Tim McMahon of ESPN claims that Williams’ injury is “not severe.”
The left ankle sprain suffered by Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams is “not severe,” sources told ESPN.
Good news for one of the Thunder’s rising stars. https://t.co/E2op4PJmlx
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 18, 2024
The Thunder won’t play again until October 24, when they travel to play the Denver Nuggets in their regular season opening. Williams’ availability for the start of the season is currently uncertain. Nonetheless, there is cause for optimism regarding Williams’ status in light of the most recent information.
A positive injury update is received by the Oklahoma City Thunder Wing.
The Role of Jalen Williams in Oklahoma City
The 23-year-old is ready for the best season of his early career as he begins his third season with the Thunder. Williams had an even better season last year after placing second in 2023 for Rookie of the Year. Williams averaged 19.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 71 games, all of which he started. He also had a 42.7% three-point shooting percentage and a 54% field goal percentage. Williams was fourth in the Most Improved Player category and 12th in the Clutch Player of the Year voting due to his outstanding season. Williams also contributes significantly on the defensive end.
Williams’ significance as a member of the Thunder roster is well known. He is vital to a club’s long-term goals in addition to being necessary to a team vying for a title right now. One of the front-runners to win the NBA Finals the next season is the Thunder. Only the defending champion Boston Celtics are a stronger favorite to win it all, and they are the favorites to represent the Western Conference. Even if he isn’t their best player, Williams’ contributions to Oklahoma City are unquestionably essential to their success.
Beyond Jalen Williams’ injury, the Thunder are coping with other issues.
The Thunder are also battling an injury to Isaiah Hartenstein, their new big man, in addition to Williams. This summer, Hartenstein transferred from the New York Knicks to the Thunder. But in contrast to Williams, Hartenstein’s injury report was largely unfavorable. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the big man had a left hand injury. He will miss at least the first month of the regular season due to this injury. The Thunder will probably rely more on Chet Holmgren, another important player on Oklahoma City’s roster, to fill Hartenstein’s spot.
Thunder say Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand in Tuesday’s preseason game in Denver and will be re-evaluated in five-to-six weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024
The 2024–25 season will begin with the Thunder somewhat injured. They still have a chance to win an NBA championship the next year, though, despite this.
