Jalen Williams: “I’ll Be Healthy as Ever for the Beginning of the Season”

Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams believes he will enter the 2026-27 NBA season fully healthy after a frustrating campaign disrupted by wrist and hamstring injuries.

Williams endured a difficult 2025-26 season, playing just 33 regular-season games after beginning the year recovering from right wrist surgery. He later underwent a follow-up procedure to remove a screw from the wrist before suffering multiple hamstring injuries.

Now, after a summer focused on recovery and strengthening, Williams says he finally feels like his body is in a much better place.

“It’s Been Great”

Speaking with Kicks Vision, Williams described his recovery positively and acknowledged that his attempts to return quickly last season contributed to the difficulties he experienced.

Williams said that trying to return from his hamstring injury during the playoffs involved considerable risk, something he believes many people outside the team did not fully understand.

“Now that I’ve gotten the time off to actually recover and just basically get time to really work on it, I’ve been fine,” Williams said.

He added that he has felt healthy for several months and delivered an encouraging message to Thunder fans:

A Season Full of Setbacks

Williams’ injury problems began before the regular season. He had surgery on his right wrist during the offseason after playing through the issue during Oklahoma City’s championship run.

A follow-up procedure to remove a screw further delayed his return, and he eventually made his season debut in late November.

After finding his rhythm, Williams suffered a right hamstring injury in January. He later dealt with another hamstring problem, this time involving his left leg, during the playoffs.

The injuries ultimately limited him to 33 regular-season appearances.

His Absence Was Felt in the Playoffs

The Thunder still enjoyed an excellent season, but Williams’ health became a major storyline during their playoff run.

He missed the entire second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers before returning for the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

Williams started Game 1 and produced 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes, but the Thunder lost the game in double overtime. His hamstring problem flared up again in Game 2, and he was unable to return to his normal level for the remainder of the series.

Oklahoma City ultimately fell to San Antonio in seven games.

Williams Wants a Fresh Start

The 2026-27 season represents an opportunity for Williams to put the injury problems behind him.

Before the injuries disrupted his campaign, he had established himself as one of the NBA’s premier young two-way players. During the Thunder’s championship-winning 2024-25 season, Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals, earning his first All-Star selection as well as All-NBA and All-Defensive honors.

His 2025-26 numbers fell significantly, with Williams averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field and 29.9% from three-point range.

A Crucial Player for Oklahoma City

A fully healthy Williams could be one of the biggest boosts Oklahoma City receives heading into the new season.

The 6-foot-6 wing provides scoring, playmaking and elite positional versatility on defense. He can create his own shot, facilitate for teammates and defend multiple positions, making him one of the Thunder’s most important players alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.

After a season in which his body repeatedly prevented him from finding consistency, Williams now has an extended offseason to rebuild his strength and prepare properly.

If his latest assessment proves accurate, the Thunder could have their All-Star forward back at full strength when the new season begins—and that would be a major development for a team looking to return to the NBA Finals.