{"id":163753,"date":"2025-10-22T09:53:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=163753"},"modified":"2025-10-22T09:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:53:42","slug":"jalen-williams-injury-major-flaws-thunder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/10\/22\/jalen-williams-injury-major-flaws-thunder\/","title":{"rendered":"Jalen Williams’ Injury Opens Up Major Flaws for Oklahoma City"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder received their championship rings and raised their first-ever championship banner on Tuesday. They also endured a promising Opening Night clash with the Houston Rockets. OKC barely escaped with a 125-124 2OT win, all without some key pieces. Nikola Topic<\/a> is out after a testicular surgery<\/a>, and Thomas Sorber<\/a> is redshirting his first year<\/a>. Both Isaiah Joe<\/a> and Kenrich Williams<\/a> were also out of the picture.<\/p>\n

And so, Jalen Williams’<\/a> injury led him to miss the Thunder’s thrilling Opening Night win, and it has also exposed some flaws when they play without him. OKC missed him for a few games last season, but this one seemed different. In fact, it looked like the Thunder were really finding it hard to create opportunities until late in the game.<\/p>\n

Jalen Williams’ Injury Opens Up Major Flaws for Oklahoma City<\/h2>\n

Sure, it’s great to celebrate the Opening Night and banner-raising ceremonies with a win. However, it does seem that OKC has some fatal flaws that future opponents may consider exposing in the games ahead. After all, pushing the defending champions to a 2OT thriller is no easy feat, even without one of their best players.<\/p>\n

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OKC GETS THE STOP.<\/p>\n

THEY WIN AN INSTANT CLASSIC.<\/p>\n

FINAL: Thunder 125, Rockets 124 in 2OT. pic.twitter.com\/gkMmw7hrNv<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n