Jalen Williams Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
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Jalen Williams Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams will miss at least the next three games of the team's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns after sustaining a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, the team announced Thursday. Williams will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
The injury occurred with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter of Wednesday's 120-107 Game 2 victory. Williams grabbed his left leg after missing a fast-break layup attempt, subsequently took a deliberate foul to exit the game and went directly to the locker room. He did not address reporters before departing Paycom Center.
Williams is ruled out for Saturday's Game 3, Monday's Game 4 and a potential Wednesday Game 5.
The timing is a significant blow despite Oklahoma City's commanding series position. Williams had been outstanding to open the postseason after a regular season limited to 33 games due to injury. He posted 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1 and followed with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 23 minutes in Game 2.
"He was playing an outstanding game," coach Mark Daigneault said. "He was on the gas. He had great force. He was hitting shots."
Williams, a third-team All-NBA selection last season, played through a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist throughout last year's championship run before undergoing surgery. He also missed extended stretches this season with a right hamstring strain.
Oklahoma City went 39-10 without Williams in the lineup this regular season.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams will miss at least the next three games of the team’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns after sustaining a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, the team announced Thursday. Williams will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
The injury occurred with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter of Wednesday’s 120-107 Game 2 victory. Williams grabbed his left leg after missing a fast-break layup attempt, subsequently took a deliberate foul to exit the game and went directly to the locker room. He did not address reporters before departing Paycom Center.
Williams is ruled out for Saturday’s Game 3, Monday’s Game 4 and a potential Wednesday Game 5.
The timing is a significant blow despite Oklahoma City’s commanding series position. Williams had been outstanding to open the postseason after a regular season limited to 33 games due to injury. He posted 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1 and followed with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 23 minutes in Game 2.
“He was playing an outstanding game,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “He was on the gas. He had great force. He was hitting shots.”
Williams, a third-team All-NBA selection last season, played through a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist throughout last year’s championship run before undergoing surgery. He also missed extended stretches this season with a right hamstring strain.
Oklahoma City went 39-10 without Williams in the lineup this regular season.
