Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA guard Jalen Williams will make his season debut Friday night against the Phoenix Suns after recovering from right wrist surgery. Williams underwent an initial procedure in July, followed by a screw removal on Oct. 31, after playing through a torn ligament during last season’s championship run.
The Thunder have dominated opponents with an 18-1 record to open the season. Oklahoma City posted the best point differential through 19 games in NBA history at plus-16.5, becoming only the fifth team ever to start 18-1.
Williams emerged as one of the league’s elite two-way players last season, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He joined Cleveland’s Evan Mobley as the only players to earn both All-NBA and All-Defense honors.
Williams led the NBA in points per direct isolation allowed and ranked in the top five for points per direct drive allowed, per GeniusIQ. He joined an exclusive group of four players with 1,400 points, 300 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals last season, alongside Nikola Jokic, teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden.
The Thunder plan to carefully manage Williams’ return after handling Chet Holmgren’s three-month absence last season. Holmgren returned in February from a hip injury and gradually regained form before the playoffs.
Ajay Mitchell has filled Williams’ role effectively, averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Isaiah Joe has contributed a career-high 13.2 points while shooting 40.2% from three-point range on over seven attempts per game.
Williams missed the first 19 games and is now ineligible for regular season award honors. The absence eliminates his eligibility for the $287 million super maximum contract escalator in his five-year, $239 million extension.