Oklahoma City Thunder forward and Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams will miss season opener. He definitely will not play against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. The team acknowledged that Williams is still adjusting from surgery performed in the offseason. He was hurt in the same area, fracturing his right wrist in the playoffs last season.
Williams, who put together a fantastic postseason run, averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. His signature moment came when it mattered most, in the deciding Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He dropped 40 points, leading the Thunder on an impressive comeback! However, just as he seemed set to break through these accomplishments, a serious injury has pushed back his return to the court.
On April 9, Williams sustained a scapholunate ligament tear in his wrist. He was able to muscle through the pain in the playoffs, needing upwards of 30 different pain-killing injections just to keep competing. Following Oklahoma City’s championship run, he decided to hold off on surgery until early July. He sacrificed his own treatment for the good of the team.
It’s still weak, since having surgery Williams has started to regain some strength. He didn’t really begin shooting with his right hand until early this month. “I caught that, too,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault on the strides Williams has made. He might not be prepared to begin the year as projected.
Most importantly, “Jalen is doing really well and is exactly on schedule,” according to Daigneault. Of course, we’re first and foremost concerned for his recovery and making sure he comes back at full strength.
Williams, who just a few weeks ago signed a maximum extension of his rookie contract. This mostly supermax escalators laden deal cements his irreplaceable value to the franchise and organization. While we’re proud of his dedication to recovery, we applaud his decision not to set a date for his return.
I’ll come back when I’m 100% ready,” Williams announced. Then I’m gonna party like a rock star! He recognizes the difficulties that lay ahead on his path to recovery but is positive about getting back on the court.
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