Thunder Welcome Back Jalen Williams
The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to welcome back Jalen Williams, their All-NBA guard, for his first game of the season against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. This announcement comes after Williams spent significant time recovering from surgery on his right wrist, first in July, followed by a procedure to remove a screw on October 31. Last season, he played through a torn ligament during the Thunder’s playoff adventure, showcasing his resilience.
Impressive Season Start
The Thunder have recorded an impressive start this season, boasting an 18-1 record. This remarkable performance includes setting an NBA record for point differential through the first 19 games at plus-16.5, making them only the fifth team in the league to achieve such a strong beginning.
Williams’ Standout Performance
In the previous season, Williams emerged as a standout player, averaging an impressive 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His exceptional skills earned him selections to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams—a distinction he shared only with Cleveland’s Evan Mobley. His defensive capabilities were highlighted by leading the league in points allowed per direct isolation and ranking in the top five for points per direct drive allowed, according to statistics from GeniusIQ.
Notably, he was one of only four players to surpass 1,400 points, alongside 300 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals last season, joining elite company with names like Nikola Jokic and teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Record-Setting Playoff Duo
During the playoffs in 2025, the dynamic duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams generated a combined total of 1,180 points—a record-setting number for a pair in a single postseason in NBA history.
Cautious Approach to Williams’ Return
While reintroducing Williams to the lineup, the Thunder will prioritize a cautious approach, drawing from their experience with Chet Holmgren, who faced a long recovery from a hip injury last season. In Williams’ absence, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has stepped up, averaging 15.9 points and showcasing an impressive defensive game with 1.7 steals per outing. Additionally, Isaiah Joe has seen a rise in his performance, contributing a career-high 13.2 points with a 40.2% shooting rate from three-point range on over seven attempts each game.
Impact of Missed Games
It’s also important to note that due to his missed games, Williams is not eligible for postseason honors, which affects his potential for a lucrative $287 million super maximum contract increase tied to his five-year, $239 million extension.
