The Oklahoma City Thunder’s run to the NBA championship came with a hidden cost that few knew about during their playoff push.
While fans celebrated each victory, one of their key players was battling through significant pain that would have sidelined most athletes.
Jalen Williams tore a ligament in his right wrist before the playoffs began, yet he never missed a game during the Thunder’s title chase.
The team recently announced that Williams had surgery to repair the injury.
“Jalen Williams underwent a successful procedure to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, the team announced today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks,” Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire wrote on X.
Thunder PR:
Jalen Williams underwent a successful procedure to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, the team announced today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks pic.twitter.com/MXyY4u2M2n
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 1, 2025
The injury occurred on April 9 in a regular-season victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Team officials knew from the start that surgery would be required once the season ended.
Williams made the decision to delay the procedure, choosing to play through the discomfort.
The pain was evident to those watching closely. Williams wore protective wrapping during every playoff game and was frequently spotted cradling his wrist between plays.
Despite his attempts to downplay its severity, the injury affected his daily routine and game preparation.
Yet, his performance never wavered. In 23 postseason games, he averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest.
Williams recently offered fans a glimpse of his recovery process on social media, showing off his cast while playfully displaying his championship ring finger.
The recovery timeline aligns perfectly with the upcoming season, as his 12-week window should end right around training camp in September.
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