Thunder’s Jalen Williams, Isaiah Joe Out for Season Opener
thunders-jalen-williams-isaiah-joe-out-for-season-opener
Oklahoma City, OK — All-Star forward Jalen Williams will not suit up for the Oklahoma City Thunder when they open the 2025-26 regular season against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, the team confirmed Monday evening.
Williams, 24, is still working his way back from offseason surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the Thunder do not expect the injury to keep him out long term. During the preseason, Williams said he will return once he regains full strength and shooting rhythm in the affected wrist, which was injured in early April but did not prevent him from playing through the playoffs as Oklahoma City captured its first NBA title.
The Thunder will also be without guard Isaiah Joe, who is dealing with a knee problem. Additional absences include center Thomas Sorber (season-ending torn ACL), forward Kenrich Williams (arthroscopic knee surgery) and guard Nikola Topić (testicular procedure).
Houston will be missing guard Fred VanVleet, who is recovering from a torn ACL, as well as forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Jae’Sean Tate, both sidelined after offseason ankle surgery. The Rockets plan to start Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams in a supersized lineup for the opener.
Source: Hoops Rumors
