Mark Daigneault gave Thunder fans a reason to exhale when on Friday he described Jalen Williams’ injury diagnosis as a “relatively positive development.”
On Thursday, the Thunder announced that Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during OKC’s Game 2 win against Phoenix. Williams, according to the team, will be reevaluated on a weekly basis.
Williams dealt with a recurring right hamstring injury in the regular season that forced him to miss roughly two months.
Daigneault said this latest injury “could’ve been a lot worse.”
More: Thunder star Jalen Williams carries 'good energy' despite new hamstring injury
Jalen Williams left tonight’s game with a left hamstring injury He had TWO right hamstring strains earlier in the year that caused him to miss significant time throughout the season. MRI will determine if there is a hamstring strain and severity. Healing timeline is as… pic.twitter.com/eYbM4bw1RH
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 23, 2026
The plan is for Williams to travel with the team to Phoenix on Friday afternoon rather than rehabbing in Oklahoma City. The Suns will host the Thunder in Game 3 of their first-round series at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. OKC leads the series 2-0.
Cason Wallace is the most likely option to slide into the starting lineup with Williams out. Ajay Mitchell is expected to have an even larger role as an on-ball guard and secondary scoring option.
Williams had arguably been the Thunder’s best player through the first six quarters of the series. He averaged 20.5 points in Games 1 and 2 on 62% shooting.
Mitchell, after practice on Friday, said J-Dub is in good spirits.
“He’s always that way,” Mitchell said. “He’s very resilient and works hard to get back. Obviously he’s had a couple tough injuries this year, but his mindset stays the same. We’re really not worried about him. He’s gonna be good.”
More: Ajay Mitchell will play an even larger role for OKC Thunder amid Jalen Williams injury
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.1 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.1 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.2 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.3 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.4 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.5 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.6 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.7 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.8 / 8Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jalen Williams injury 'could've been a lot worse,' OKC Thunder says