Thunder forward Jalen Williams ruled week-to-week with left hamstring strain
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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams has a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring and will be evaluated on a weekly basis, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
The injury will keep the 25-year-old out of at least Saturday’s Game 3 and Monday’s Game 4 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. If the series extends, Williams would also miss a potential Game 5 on Wednesday.
Williams was hurt with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter of Wednesday’s 120-107 victory at Paycom Center that put Oklahoma City ahead 2-0. After missing a contested fast-break layup, he grabbed the back of his left leg, appeared to say “left hammy,” and committed an intentional foul so he could leave the floor. He went directly to the locker room and did not speak with reporters.
The third-team All-NBA selection from last season had opened the postseason in strong form. He posted 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1, then added 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting with four assists in 23 minutes before exiting Game 2.
“He was on the gas,” head coach Mark Daigneault said after the win. “He had great force. He was hitting shots and creating good looks for his teammates. He was playing an outstanding game.”
Williams’ 2025-26 regular season was limited to 33 games. He missed the first 19 contests while recovering from off-season surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist and later sat out two extended stretches with a right hamstring issue, which he aggravated during a 28-point performance against Phoenix on Feb. 11.
Despite his absences, Oklahoma City compiled a 39-10 record without him in the lineup during the regular season.
Source: ESPN
