Jalen Williams’ Pain Management During Championship Run
Jalen Williams, a key forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, revealed that he endured approximately 30 pain relief injections to cope with a serious wrist injury during the team’s successful championship campaign. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, which was released on Tuesday, Williams discussed his ongoing battle with a sprained right wrist throughout the season.
Injury Details and Treatment
His condition worsened when he felt a tear in his right scapholunate ligament while competing for a loose ball against Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker on April 9, leading him to describe the sensation in his hand as “on fire.”
As the Thunder progressed through the playoffs, winning four series to ultimately claim the title, the team’s medical staff employed sophisticated taping methods to stabilize Williams’ wrist, often concealed beneath an arm sleeve. Williams disclosed that he received lidocaine shots before each game and occasionally during practice sessions to help manage the pain. The repeated injections left him with a callous at the site where the needles were administered.
Surgery and Performance Adjustments
Following the conclusion of the playoffs, he underwent surgery last week to address his wrist injury.
“I got about 28 or 29 shots in my hand through the playoffs,”
he mentioned in his video.
“I was determined that they couldn’t be for nothing; we had to win, and that fueled my mindset.”
In an effort to compensate for the injury, Williams altered his shooting technique to keep the ball primarily on his fingertips, thereby reducing the strain on his wrist. This adjustment, however, resulted in several shooting slumps, particularly during the second round against the Denver Nuggets, where he had a challenging performance. He recorded a shooting percentage of just 38% and struggled even more with three-point shots, hitting only 23% and making only 10 out of 43 attempts in the final three games of that series.
Reflections on Pressure and Performance
Reflecting on the scrutiny he faced after the Thunder’s playoff loss the previous year, Williams expressed the frustration of being criticized for his performance while feeling pressured not to disclose the extent of his injury.
“It was tough knowing I was hurt while I remained silent to avoid revealing my condition, which many interpreted as me not being prepared for the moment,”
he lamented.
“It’s human nature to want to scream out your pain, but I chose to stay focused and not use it as an excuse.”
Key Moments and Recognition
Despite his challenges, Williams highlighted key moments in his performance throughout the playoffs, including a remarkable 40-point display in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, which propelled the Thunder to a crucial 3-2 series lead. He also contributed 34 points in a decisive Game 4 victory during the Western Conference finals.
“We won the championship; people can say what they want now,”
he declared confidently, adding that he would soon be getting his championship ring sized. Thunder’s president, Sam Presti, commended Williams for his resilience and ability to perform under pressure:
“He showed exceptional mental strength and self-confidence. It was impressive to see him push through pain without making excuses, delivering some of his finest performances at the end of the season.”
