Oklahoma City, Memphis and Portland delivered several key roster updates ahead of opening week, affecting lineups across the Western Conference.
Thunder Rule Out Jalen Williams
Oklahoma City All-Star forward Jalen Williams will not suit up Tuesday against the Houston Rockets as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported. Williams said he will return only when he feels “100 percent,” noting that regaining shooting rhythm remains the final hurdle.
The 23-year-old played through the injury during last spring’s title run and has recently resumed right-hand shooting drills. Oklahoma City will also be without Isaiah Joe (knee), Thomas Sorber (ACL), Kenrich Williams (knee) and Nikola Topić (testicular procedure).
Houston will likewise be short-handed. According to SI.com’s Rylan Stiles, Fred VanVleet (ACL), Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jae’Sean Tate (ankles) will sit, leaving the Rockets likely to start Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams.
Ja Morant Tracking Toward Wednesday Return
Memphis guard Ja Morant is on course to play Wednesday versus the New Orleans Pelicans after missing the entire preseason with a sprained left ankle, The Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole noted. “He’s expected to make a return on opening night,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Monday.
Morant suffered the injury Oct. 5, sidelining him for roughly two and a half weeks. The Grizzlies are already without guards Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery) and Ty Jerome (calf strain). Forward Vince Williams Jr. is battling heel soreness but could be cleared soon, Iisalo added.
Blazers Finalize Extensions for Sharpe, Camara
The Portland Trail Blazers officially signed wing Shaedon Sharpe to a four-year, $90 million extension and forward Toumani Camara to a four-year, $81 million deal on Monday. Sharpe, 22, averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season despite shooting 31.1 percent from three-point range. Portland continues to view him as a core piece alongside guard Scoot Henderson.
Camara, 25, emerged as a versatile defender in 2023-24, posting 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while finishing in the league’s top 10 in total steals. General manager Joe Cronin called Camara “a central figure in the team’s defensive identity.” With Deni Avdija already under contract through 2028, Portland now has three young wings locked up long-term, each accounting for less than 15 percent of the projected salary cap, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.
The Western Conference clubs open their seasons between Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Source: Hoops Wire
