The Thunder’s concerns regarding Jalen Williams’ injury have unfortunately come to fruition.
The All-Star forward has dislocated his left ankle and fractured his fibula following a hard fall on a drive to the basket late in the fourth quarter, as announced by Oklahoma City’s general manager, Sam Presti, during a media session on Monday.
Furthermore, fourth-year guard Cason Wallace, who was named to the All-Defensive Second Team last year, has sustained a torn left labrum.
Both players will require surgery and are expected to miss a significant portion, if not all, of the regular season, as reported by ESPN. Presti did not provide an estimate for their return.
“He’s extremely tough. A real competitor,” Presti said of Williams. “Even after the incident, he remains optimistic about facing this challenge. We’re all in this together with him.”
This is a tough setback for a Thunder squad aiming for a second NBA championship in three years, especially after falling to the Spurs in last season’s Western Conference finals.
In the three games played so far, Williams averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He got injured when he was caught between two Clippers players while driving to the hoop.
He fell awkwardly, with his left leg getting trapped beneath him, and was taken off the court on a stretcher after prompt treatment from medical staff.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared visibly shaken when asked during a postgame interview about witnessing Williams’ injury in the 108-101 win that brought the team to a 3-0 start this season.
“I honestly don’t know what to say,” Gilgeous-Alexander expressed. “I just feel really bad for him.”
Despite the challenges, he believes the team can adapt without his fellow teammate. Williams had already faced injury setbacks last season due to wrist surgeries and hamstring issues.
“It’s certainly going to be hard to be without someone like him,” Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged. “But he’ll come back. He’s not gone for good. We just need to manage until he’s back.”
Wallace experienced his injury early in the game against the Clippers while trying to get through a screen, immediately clutching his shoulder.
The 22-year-old, who is averaging 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds this season, had signed a five-year, $135 million deal with the team prior to the start of the season.
