Jalen Williams Injured After Career Night
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams scored a season-high 28 points in just 20 minutes, starting 11-for-11 from the floor in his homecoming game. However, Williams re-aggravated a lingering hamstring strain during the contest and is now listed out for Thursday's game against the Bucks, with re-evaluation scheduled after the All-Star break.
- This was just the second game back for Williams after he missed 10 consecutive games with the same right hamstring strain, which he initially suffered on January 17 against the Miami Heat. - The 28 points were a season-high, but his career-high is 36 points, which he scored against the New York Knicks on December 27, 2023. - Williams, who grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, had his high school jersey retired the night before his stellar performance in his homecoming game against the Phoenix Suns. - The Thunder are now without two key starters, as reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also sidelined with an abdominal strain and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. - In 26 games this season, Williams is averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per contest. - Last season, Williams was selected to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, highlighting his importance on both ends of the floor for Oklahoma City. - The injury occurred late in the third quarter of a dominant 136-109 victory over the Suns, a game in which the Thunder's bench contributed 74 points.
