The Oklahoma City Thunder were the Western Conference’s top seed last season entering the playoffs. Off to a 22-5 start, they would be so again if the regular season ended today. The Thunder own a three-game lead over the second place Memphis Grizzlies who are 20-9.
About one-third of the way through the regular season, Oklahoma City is having a terrific year. They are doing so even though their depth chart at center has not been complete all season. There was a time when the Thunder were without a healthy center.
Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams is finally off the injury report after not playing yet this season. He seems to be available to make his season debut Monday against the Washington Wizards
Jaylin Williams Available For Season Debut On Monday
Jaylin Williams Could Debut On Monday
The 6-foot-8 Williams was selected in the second round (34th overall) in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Thunder out of Arkansas. The 22-year-old is now in his third season with the team.
Unfortunately for Williams and the Thunder, he has yet to play this season. Williams strained his hamstring in training camp, and then re-aggravated the injury at the end of October during a workout. His name has finally been taken off the Thunder’s injury report leading fans to believe he will be available to play on Monday.
Last season, Williams appeared in 69 games with one start. Playing 13.0 minutes per contest, he posted averages of 4.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. About 63% of his field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and he connected on 36.8% of them. Williams also appeared in all 10 of the Thunder’s postseason games, where they bowed out to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals.
In his rookie season, Williams started 36 of his 49 appearances. He averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.7 minutes while shooting 40.7% from three-point territory.
There seems to be an opportunity for Williams to be able to reinsert him into Oklahoma City’s rotation right away.
Injuries At Center All Season
As previously mentioned, the Thunder haven’t had a full depth chart at center the whole season thus far. That is not just because of Williams not being around all year up until now.
Free agent signing Isaiah Hartenstein was unavailable to start the season. He fractured his left hand in a preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The 26-year-old Hartenstein missed the Thunder’s first 15 games. Making his season debut on November 20, the 7-foot Hartenstein has averaged 12.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his 12 appearances.
The second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren missed his entire first year due to a ruptured tendon in his foot. He returned last season to play in all 82 games, finishing as runner-up for Rookie of the Year to Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old Holmgren hasn’t played since November 10 though with a hip injury. In his 10 outings this season, the 7-foot-1 center has averages of 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.
While Hartenstein is playing excellent as the starting center, Williams can certainly slide in to play the minutes at the five behind him. Those minutes of late have been going to Kenrich Williams, who is a bit undersized for the position.
