UPDATE: Addressing the media before Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Celtics, Thunder HC Marc Daigneault said that Williams didn’t make the trip to Boston with the Thunder and the forward doesn’t have a timetable for a return. Given this update from Daigneault, it feels likely that Williams will miss all three games of the Thunder’s current road trip.
By championship odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three true contenders to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June — the Oklahoma City Thunder (+175), Boston Celtics (+230), and Cleveland Cavaliers (+550). Tomorrow night’s nationally-televised clash between Oklahoma City and the defending champion Celtics could be a potential Finals preview.
If it repeats itself exactly in June, availability included, the Thunder would not be happy. Forward Jalen Williams, who fell on his hip in the second quarter of Oklahoma City’s 140-127 loss to the Denver Nuggets last night and did not return, will not suit up tomorrow, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes.
Losing Williams will obviously be a significant blow, given that he’s one of the team’s best wing defenders and would’ve been formed a formidable partnership with Lu Dort in marking star forward Jayson Tatum tomorrow. This season, Williams is averaging 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game and is second in Defensive Win Shares.
With Williams out, Aaron Wiggins will likely slide into the starting lineup alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Wiggins recorded 30 points and five rebounds in a 107-89 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, a game in which all five of Oklahoma City’s regular starters rested.
