The Oklahoma City Thunder were already dangerous. Now they may be whole again.
Jalen Williams, who missed the entire second-round sweep of the Lakers with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, says he is healthy entering the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Williams said Oklahoma City’s 3-0 lead over Los Angeles allowed him to avoid rushing back and even take extra recovery days before the next matchup.
Williams is not just another wing returning to the rotation. He is one of Oklahoma City’s defining pieces: a two-way connector, secondary creator, matchup defender and pressure valve beside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This season has been difficult physically, with Williams limited to a career-low 33 regular-season games after offseason wrist surgery and multiple hamstring issues. When he did play, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
The Thunder survived without him because that is what champions do. Ajay Mitchell stepped into the void against the Lakers and averaged 22.5 points and six assists in the sweep, giving Oklahoma City another reminder of its frightening depth. But the Western Conference Finals are different. The Spurs arrive with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and the momentum of a 139-109 closeout win over Minnesota.
Williams’ return changes the texture of the series. Against San Antonio’s length, Oklahoma City needs size on the perimeter, extra decision-making and another player who can attack a tilted defense. Against Wembanyama, every possession becomes a geometry problem. Williams gives the Thunder one more solution.
The timing could not be cleaner. Oklahoma City did not need to gamble with his hamstring against the Lakers. It did not need to chase short-term urgency at the expense of long-term ambition. Now, with the Spurs coming and the Finals within reach, Williams sounds ready.
The Thunder were already the defending champions.
With Jalen Williams back, they may look like them again.
