Thunder’s Jalen Williams says he’s healthy entering WCFTim MacMahonMay 15, 2026, 08:04 PM ETClose
- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM
Oklahoma City Thunder star wing Jalen Williams, who has missed the past six games due to a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring, declared himself healthy entering the Western Conference finals.
“It’s good that I haven’t had to rush back from my hamstring stuff at all,” Williams stated on a video posted to his YouTube channel on Friday. “I’m actually taking like extra days now than from what was originally planned because we were up 3-0 [over the Lakers], so there was no point in going into this series and possibly hurting myself before we play the Timberwolves or the Spurs.
“I’m about to go into another series healthy.”
Editor’s Picks
2026 NBA draft combine highlights: Biggest questions, risers and withdrawal watch
What’s next for LeBron, Giannis and Kawhi? We asked NBA execs
OKC’s Williams has Grade 1 strain, week-to-week
Coach Mark Daigneault stated after Friday’s practice that Williams was “progressing” but declined to elaborate. Williams was dressed out for the practice.
The Thunder are not required to report Williams’ status until the evening before the series opener.
Williams, a third-team All-NBA selection last season who played a critical role in the Thunder’s title run despite a right wrist injury that required offseason surgery, was limited to 33 games due to injuries during the regular season.
Williams missed the first 19 games while recovering from his wrist surgery and then was sidelined for two extended stretches due to a right hamstring strain that he aggravated after returning before the All-Star break.
Williams got off to a spectacular start of the playoffs before straining his left hamstring during the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s Game 2 win over the Phoenix Suns. He had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the playoff opener and 19 points and four assists in only 23 minutes before exiting Game 2.
Ajay Mitchell starred in the Thunder’s second-round sweep of the Lakers while filling in for Williams in the starting lineup, averaging 22.5 points and 6.0 assists in the four games.
“I’m never worried about the team,” Williams told ESPN after the Game 3 win in Los Angeles. “My worry always comes from making sure that I’m able to get myself to a point where I can help the team when I’m sitting out for that long. But we have a good team so it’s like no real rush to get back, if that makes sense. I don’t have to push certain buttons or do what I did last year [with his wrist] to get my hamstrings right.
“So that’s the nice part about it. But I want to play.”
