Thunder’s Jalen Williams out indefinitely with hamstring injury

The Thunder now have the diagnosis, and it is the one they were hoping to avoid.

Forward Jalen Williams has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and will miss Monday’s game in Cleveland, according to Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated. While the Thunder rarely offer firm timelines, the expectation around the league is that Williams will be sidelined for multiple weeks.

The injury occurred during Saturday’s loss in Miami. Williams was officially ruled out with what the team called right thigh soreness, but the visual told a different story. He grabbed the back of his leg midway through the second quarter, limped off under his own power, and was clearly in discomfort.

Head coach Mark Daigneault said Sunday that Williams would be evaluated, and the follow-up confirmed the concern.

The timing is brutal. Williams already missed the first nineteen games of the season after undergoing two surgeries on his right wrist. In 24 appearances since returning, he has averaged 16.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while serving as a two-way anchor.