The Oklahoma City Thunder were the Western Conference\u2019s top seed last season entering the playoffs. \u00a0Off 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Oklahoma City\u2019s Jaylin Williams<\/a> is finally off the injury report after not playing yet this season. He seems to be available to make his season debut<\/a> Monday against the Washington Wizards<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s injury report leading fans to believe he will be available to play on Monday.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s postseason games, where they bowed out to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n There seems to be an opportunity for Williams to be able to reinsert him into Oklahoma City\u2019s rotation right away.<\/p>\n As previously mentioned, the Thunder haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Free agent signing Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> was unavailable to start the season. He fractured his left hand<\/a> in a preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The 26-year-old Hartenstein missed the Thunder\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren<\/a> 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\u2019t played since November 10 though with a hip injury<\/a>. In his 10 outings this season, the 7-foot-1 center has averages of 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.<\/p>\nJaylin Williams Available For Season Debut On Monday<\/h2>\n
Jaylin Williams Could Debut On Monday<\/h3>\n
Injuries At Center All Season<\/h3>\n