The Thunder look like a team that is hungry for a title after their repeat bid fell short last season, but they might have to rely more heavily on their depth going forward after a gruesome injury to Jalen Williams on Sunday night.
Williams left the court on a stretcher after suffering a lower-leg injury against the Clippers. The reactions from teammates and Clippers players immediately indicated the injury was serious, and the video of Williams’ awkward landing leave no doubt.
The former All-Star was able to give a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was taken off the court, but he’s facing an absence that will test one of the deepest rosters in the NBA.
Here’s what you need to know about Williams’ injury.
MORE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic 20-point streak ends
Jalen Williams injury update
Williams suffered the lower-leg injury on the way down from an attempt at the basket, landing awkwardly. While the details are still to be determined, it was obvious from the way Williams’ ankle bent that he was dealing with a serious injury.
OH NO đź’” Jalen Williams suffers a serious lower-leg injury after an awkward landing. https://t.co/94x3rJvUn1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 26, 2026
A stunned Oklahoma City crowd cheered for Williams and chanted his name as he was being helped onto the stretcher and wheeled off the court.
A JDub chant breaks out as Jalen Williams is being helped to the stretcher https://t.co/Ppe3jBgqUM
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 26, 2026
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Williams’ injury “speaks for itself” and explained the emotional toll of witnessing the fifth-year standout go down.Â
“Those are tough, man,” Daigneault said. ‘We’re not doing great. That’s tough on the guys.”
Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams: “Those are tough, man. We’re not doing great.” https://t.co/3yOwhmNkAz
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 26, 2026
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was visibly emotional after the injury and said after the game that feels bad for Williams while declining to talk more about it.
SGA on Jalen Williams’ injury: “I just feel bad for him. Nothing more than that.” https://t.co/GIeUbkw7nF
— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) October 26, 2026
Not all gruesome lower-leg injuries are season-ending. While with the Nets, Caris LeVert suffered a gruesome lower-leg injury in 2018 only to return three months later because he had minimal ligament damage and avoided surgery. Until the Thunder determine the extent of Williams’ injury, though, they won’t know his exact timeline in a season that carries so much promise.
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