NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Warriors, Seth Curry, Suns

Thunder

Jalen Williams continues to manage the lingering effects of the hand surgery that delayed the start of his season.

During Sunday’s win over the Heat, Williams wore a heated glove on his shooting wrist while on the bench, a sign that maintenance remains part of the routine, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman.

Williams acknowledged the recovery isn’t linear and won’t be wrapped up quickly.

“This injury is not something where you get it, have two hand surgeries and then it’s, ‘Alright, you’re good to go,’” Williams said. “It’s something over the course of a year, a year and a half and having summers to really figure it out, where it’ll be really back to normal.”

Despite that, Oklahoma City has remained encouraged by his availability and production, taking a long-term view with one of its core pieces rather than pushing for quick resolution.

Warriors

Seth Curry remains sidelined with a sciatic nerve-related issue and isn’t expected back in the near future. Golden State announced that Curry has been working with the team’s medical staff and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Curry has appeared in just two games this season, both in early December. In his debut, he scored 14 points in under 18 minutes while missing just one shot.

Suns

Jalen Green continued ramping up his on-court work Friday as he nears a return from a long layoff, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Coach Jordan Ott said some discomfort is expected as Green increases activity.

“You’re going to feel some general soreness just by getting out there on the court and that’s normal,” Ott said. “Now he’s getting bodies. The beating and banging with the bodies … he’s got to get across the finish line.”

Green will be on a minutes restriction once cleared but is expected to return to the starting lineup.

“We need his speed, his ability to attack off the dribble,” Ott said. “We need him, but we need him healthy.”