Jalen Williams Returns to Action with the Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA guard Jalen Williams will make his season debut against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Williams recovered from surgery on his right wrist performed in July, followed by a procedure to remove a screw on October 31, after playing with a torn ligament last season.
The Thunder have had a dominant start this season, with an 18-1 record, and the best points differential per game after 19 games in NBA history, with a +16.5. Oklahoma City is only the fifth team in league history to start a season with an 18-1.
Last season, Williams established himself as one of the best players in the NBA, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He became one of two players to be selected for both All-NBA and All-Defense.
Williams also led the NBA in points allowed per direct isolation and ranked in the top five in points allowed per direct penetration. He was one of four players with 1,400 points, 300 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals last season.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams combined for 1,180 points in the 2025 playoffs, the fourth-most by a duo in a single postseason in NBA history.
The Thunder will be patient and cautious in re-acclimating Williams, having previous experience with the long absence of star pivot Chet Holmgren last season, who missed three months due to a hip injury.
The Thunder has gotten production from Ajay Mitchell and others in Williams’ absence, with the second-year guard averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Isaiah Joe has also contributed, averaging a career-best 13.2 points, with 40.2% on 3-pointers on more than seven attempts per game.
Williams missed the first 19 games of the season and is not eligible for postseason honors, meaning he is no longer in line for the $287 million supermax contract on his five-year, $239 million extension.
