In last night’s preseason victory against the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams suffered an ankle injury. This injury forced Williams out of the game early. In the win, he only played 13 minutes, recording 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting, three assists, and one rebound. Though there was a bit of concern surrounding the injury, Williams received a positive update.
Per ESPN’s Tim McMahon, 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 do not see the court again until their regular season opener on the road against the Denver Nuggets on October 24. Currently, it is unknown if Williams will be ready for the beginning of the season. However, given the latest update, there is reason to have optimism for Williams’ status.
Oklahoma City Thunder Wing Receives Positive Injury Update
Jalen Williams’ Role in Oklahoma City
The 23-year-old is entering his third season with the Thunder and is primed for the best campaign of his young career. After finishing as the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 2023, Williams had an even better season last year. In 71 games, all starts, Williams averaged 19.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. Additionally, he shot 54% from the field and 42.7% from the three-point line. Williams’ impressive season led to him finishing fourth in Most Improved Player voting and 12th in Clutch Player of the Year voting. Furthermore, Williams provides a lot of value on the defensive end as well.
It is no secret that Williams is an important member of the Thunder roster. Not only is he essential to a team competing for a championship immediately, but he is also crucial to the team’s long-term plans. The Thunder are one of the favorites to win the NBA Finals next season. They are the favorites to represent the Western Conference and only trail the reigning champion Boston Celtics as the favorite to win it all. While he is not their best player, there is no denying that what Williams brings to Oklahoma City is vital to their success.
Jalen Williams’ Injury Is Not the Only One the Thunder Are Dealing With
In addition to Williams, the Thunder are dealing with an injury to new big man Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein joined the Thunder by way of the New York Knicks this summer. However, unlike Williams, Hartenstein received a relatively negative injury update. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the big man suffered a left hand injury. This injury will keep him out for at least the first month of the regular season. In Hartenstein’s place, the Thunder will likely rely more heavily on Chet Holmgren, another key member of Oklahoma City’s roster.
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 Thunder will be a little banged up to start the 2024-25 season. However, this does not make them any less of a threat to win an NBA championship next year.
