Thunder's Jalen Williams Stretchered Off With Leg Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams was taken off the court on a stretcher with a lower-leg injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. As of Monday, the Thunder had not announced a diagnosis or timeline.
With about a minute left, Williams drove to the basket for a dunk and lost his balance after contact in the air. According to CBS Sports, he landed with his left leg trapped beneath him, and the Thunder's training staff covered the leg with towels and placed it in an air cast before he was loaded onto a stretcher. Yahoo Sports reported that Clippers guard Kris Dunn was called for a flagrant 1 foul on the play, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot the two free throws on Williams' behalf. Sky Sports reported that play was stopped for about five minutes before Oklahoma City finished the game.
Williams gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was wheeled off, and fans gave him a standing ovation. Gilgeous-Alexander fought back tears in his postgame interview. "I just feel bad for him," he said, according to CBS Sports and others. He also told The Oklahoman that he has no doubt Williams will return and be better than before. Head coach Mark Daigneault said the team had no immediate update and described the situation as tough on the players. Daigneault said the team would be briefed Monday morning on Williams' condition.
The sources reviewed reported no official diagnosis or prognosis. Yahoo Sports also reported that Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams were injured during the game, with the team expected to provide updates on all three players Monday.
Williams, an All-Star and All-NBA selection who was part of Oklahoma City's 2024-25 championship team, played only 33 regular-season games last season because of hamstring and wrist issues. The win moved the Thunder to 3-0 this season.
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