Oklahoma City, OK — The Thunder will reassess Jalen Williams’ right hamstring strain in “a couple of weeks,” the team’s public-relations staff announced, aligning with earlier expectations that the guard would miss several games.
Williams suffered the injury during Saturday’s loss in Miami, grabbing the back of his right leg midway through the second quarter before limping to the locker room. Oklahoma City initially listed the issue as thigh soreness, but further testing revealed the hamstring strain.
The setback comes after Williams missed the Thunder’s first 19 contests while recovering from two right-wrist surgeries. In 24 appearances this season, he is averaging 16.8 points, 5.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds. With Williams sidelined, rookie center Chet Holmgren is expected to shoulder a larger portion of the offensive load.
Raptors
Sacramento, CA — Toronto remains hopeful that RJ Barrett can rejoin the lineup during the current road swing, possibly as early as Wednesday against the Kings, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported. Barrett, slowed by knee and ankle problems, has missed 21 of the past 27 games but showed no lingering issues during an intense pre-game workout Sunday.
The outlook is less certain for center Jakob Poeltl, who has played sparingly since mid-December because of a lower-back strain. Poeltl completed pre-game drills but has yet to reach full speed, potentially complicating any trade discussions before the deadline.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles started at center Sunday but exited after a blow to the hand. X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with a bruised thumb.
Celtics
Boston, MA — Sam Hauser connected on 11 three-pointers Saturday, tying Marcus Smart for the second-most in a game by a Celtic. The swingman missed his final six attempts while chasing the franchise record.
“At that point, it was just like, let’s get them up,” Hauser told reporters. “And then I got dead tired.” Despite quality looks, fatigue prevented him from surpassing the mark.
Hauser’s surge highlighted Boston’s perimeter attack, though the team record for made threes in a single game remains intact.
Source: Hoops Wire
