Update: Williams is back in the game and is playing through the injury as the Thunder hope to steal a game and get homecourt advantage back in this series.
Update: Williams has returned to the Thunder bench, so that’s a positive sign regarding his ability to return to this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams suffered a foot injury in the third quarter of Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks Saturday, going to the ground after attempting to fight over a screen set by Josh Green. Williams tweaked his foot and then stayed down, which unfortunately allowed the Mavericks to make a triple since it was basically 5 vs. 4 at that point. Williams ultimately was able to walk off the court and go back to the locker room.
Jalen Williams heads to the Thunder locker room. pic.twitter.com/hf1ggflCTz
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) May 11, 2024
Williams has had a strong game so far with 11 points, six assists and two rebounds. He’s also had to pick up Luka Doncic defensively at times with Lu Dort battling some foul trouble. The issue here for the Thunder is Williams’ history this season with foot and ankle problems, although it is encouraging to see him walk back to the locker room without much trouble.
Oklahoma City does have plenty of depth to fill in minutes should Williams be out for the game, but the versatility will be hard to replace. Jaylin Williams and Gordon Hayward will likely step in for the Thunder, with Dort and Aaron Wiggins also being asked to take on bigger roles. Josh Giddey could be an option due to his height, although the Thunder have been careful about his minutes after the first half of Game 2.