The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s run to the NBA championship got here with a hidden value that few knew about throughout their playoff push.
Whereas followers celebrated every victory, one in every of their key gamers was battling by important ache that might have sidelined most athletes.
Jalen Williams tore a ligament in his proper wrist earlier than the playoffs started, but he by no means missed a recreation through the Thunder’s title chase.
The staff lately introduced that Williams had surgical procedure to restore the harm.
“Jalen Williams underwent a profitable process to deal with a torn scapholunate ligament in his proper wrist, the staff introduced right now. He will probably be re-evaluated in roughly 12 weeks,” Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire wrote on X.
Thunder PR:
Jalen Williams underwent a profitable process to deal with a torn scapholunate ligament in his proper wrist, the staff introduced right now. He will probably be re-evaluated in roughly 12 weeks pic.twitter.com/MXyY4u2M2n
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 1, 2025
The harm occurred on April 9 in a regular-season victory towards the Phoenix Suns.
Group officers knew from the beginning that surgical procedure can be required as soon as the season ended.
Williams made the choice to delay the process, selecting to play by the discomfort.
The ache was evident to these watching carefully. Williams wore protecting wrapping throughout each playoff recreation and was regularly noticed cradling his wrist between performs.
Regardless of his makes an attempt to downplay its severity, the harm affected his each day routine and recreation preparation.
But, his efficiency by no means wavered. In 23 postseason video games, he averaged 21.4 factors, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest.
Williams lately provided followers a glimpse of his restoration course of on social media, displaying off his forged whereas playfully displaying his championship ring finger.
The restoration timeline aligns completely with the upcoming season, as his 12-week window ought to finish proper round coaching camp in September.
NEXT: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes NBA Historical past With New Contract
