UPDATE: Jalen Williams made a triumphant return to the court, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 11th consecutive victory with a 123-119 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. This victory propels the Thunder into the knockout round of the NBA Cup as they achieve a stunning 19-1 start to the season, marking them as only the fifth team in NBA history to reach this milestone.
Williams, who underwent wrist surgery in July, tallied 11 points and 8 assists in his much-anticipated debut, playing for 29 minutes. Despite struggling with his shooting, converting only 3 of 12 attempts, his presence was pivotal in maintaining the Thunder’s winning streak.
“The goal for tonight was to get in a rhythm, but it’s an adjustment,” Williams stated after the game. “Game 7 was, what, five months ago? Almost six. Trying to adjust to the physicality now was a little different.” His return comes after missing the first 19 games of the season, raising hopes for the team as they continue their championship defense.
The Thunder’s success this season remains remarkable, given Williams’ absence, as they have thrived without one of their key players. Last season, he emerged as a standout, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, earning All-NBA and All-Defense honors alongside Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.
“Defense is easy for me, especially when you lose your right hand for five months,” Williams explained. “I can always play hard defensively and figure things out from there.” However, he acknowledged that regaining his offensive rhythm will take time as he continues to recover from two hand surgeries.
Adding to the team’s success, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a stellar performance, scoring a game-high 37 points, including 15 points in the final seven minutes, shooting 4-of-5 during that stretch. His scoring streak has now reached an impressive 92 consecutive games with at least 20 points, tying him with Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history.
As the Thunder look to maintain their momentum, Williams faces the challenge of overcoming the impact of missing critical games. His ineligibility for postseason honors due to his absence may affect his potential earnings, including a $287 million super maximum contract kicker in his five-year, $239 million extension.
Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching how Williams integrates back into the Thunder lineup and what this means for their championship aspirations as the season progresses. The Thunder’s next matchup will be pivotal as they seek to extend their historic start.
