Thunder guard Jalen Williams exited Wednesday’s Game 2 win over the Suns with a hamstring injury in the third quarter and did not return. After further evaluation, Williams was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Thursday, and he will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Williams injured his hamstring on a layup and was clearly laboring afterwards.
Williams just returned from a lengthy absence due to a strained right hamstring last month, which was a major reason for why he missed 49 games in the regular season. While this is the opposite hamstring that Williams injured in Game 2, these type of injuries are very tricky. Williams missing the rest of this first-round series with the Suns feels likely.
Williams averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game with a 26.2% usage rate during the regular season. With him sidelined, both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren will likely garner larger usage rates. Ajay Mitchell should also see a notable increase in playing time.
Oklahoma City went 39-10 without Williams this season, remaining a 9.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s Game 3 in Phoenix. The oddsmakers clearly have a ton of confidence in the Thunder to make it out of the first round, though Williams’ health will be paramount in the squad’s pursuit for a second straight title.
