NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Magic, Anthony Black, Wizards

Thunder

The Thunder will head into Saturday’s Game 7 against the Spurs with uncertainty surrounding forward Jalen Williams.

Williams returned Thursday after missing three games with a left hamstring strain, but struggled in Oklahoma City’s 118-91 loss. The All-NBA forward scored just one point in 10 minutes and was clearly limited physically.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault wasn’t about to place any blame on Williams.

“He’s certainly not the reason we lost,” Daigneault told reporters, per ESPN. “He’s obviously not 100 percent.”

Williams has battled hamstring issues for much of the year, and Daigneault acknowledged afterward that Oklahoma City still has decisions to make regarding his role heading into the winner-take-all matchup.

Magic

Magic guard Anthony Black will become extension-eligible this summer, and it sounds like he’d welcome a long-term future in Orlando.

“It’s just an opportunity to officially stamp it as my home,” Black told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

The former No. 6 overall pick has become an important part of Orlando’s rotation, though the Magic already have significant money committed to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs.

Still, Black made it clear he’d like to remain part of the organization’s future.

Wizards

The Wizards haven’t given fans much to celebrate in recent years. That appears to be changing.

According to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, Washington has seen a 190 percent increase in new full-season ticket revenue compared to a year ago following the additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis, along with the franchise’s draft lottery win.

After years near the bottom of the standings, there is finally some genuine optimism surrounding the Wizards. And apparently, fans are responding.