The Oklahoma City Thunder's commanding 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns has been overshadowed by a critical injury to All-NBA forward Jalen Williams.
During the third quarter of Wednesday's 120-107 victory at Paycom Centre, the star known as 'JDub' pulled up after a missed layup, clutching his left hamstring and mouthing the words 'left hammy' toward the bench.
Despite playing only 23 minutes, Jalen Williams Game 2 stats were staggering: 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting and four assists. While the Thunder secured the win, the Jalen Williams injury update remains the focal point for fans and analysts alike.
Head Coach Mark Daigneault confirmed following the game that Williams 'aggravated' the muscle, casting significant doubt on his availability for Saturday's Game 3 in Phoenix.
With a history of leg issues limiting him to just 33 games this regular season, the Thunder now face the prospect of defending their postseason cushion without their primary offensive engine.
Williams grabbed his left hamstring and motioned toward the bench after missing a layup, with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter. He mouthed the phrase 'left hammy,' according toESPN.
'We think he aggravated his left hamstring,' head coach Daigneault said. 'We'll take a look at it in the next couple of days, and we'll update you guys appropriately,' he added.
Within 23 minutes of playing, Williams scored 19 points on 7‑for‑11 shooting, on top of four assists, which ultimately helped Oklahoma City outpace Phoenix with a win. The Thunder now has a series lead over the Suns. The Thunder's offence benefited from Williams' pick‑and‑roll reads and spot‑up shooting, which made his absence all the more noticeable for the rest of Game 2.
Williams had already been a postseason storyline by virtue of his regular‑season comeback, having played only 33 games after missing 19 at the start of the year while recovering from surgery on his right wrist. He then missed 30 additional games this season due to a right hamstring strain he aggravated during a 28‑point, 11‑of‑12 shooting performance in a February win over the Suns.
This latest left‑hamstring scare comes after a dominant Game 1, in which Williams poured in 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out six assists in a blowout victory. Daigneault commended Williams' gameplay, hopeful that he would finish the series.
Source: International Business Times UK
