The Thunder are about to get one of their big pieces back. Jalen Williams will make his season debut on Friday against the Suns, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Williams has been out since July, when he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist — an injury that nagged him throughout the 2025 playoff run.
He needed a second procedure in late October to remove an irritating screw, and the Thunder have been slow-playing his return ever since.
Coach Mark Daigneault called him “day-to-day” before Wednesday’s win over Minnesota.
Charania says Oklahoma City plans to stay “patient and cautious,” even as Williams ramps up.
The Thunder have hardly missed a beat without him. They’re 18-1 with the best point differential in league history.
And now they’re adding a guy who made the All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defensive teams last season while helping lead OKC to a seven-game Finals win over Indiana.
Williams won’t be eligible for postseason awards this year because of the 65-game rule. He’s making $6.6 million in the final year of his rookie deal before his five-year max extension kicks in at a projected $41.5 million next season.
Oklahoma City just got scarier.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
