Thunder’s Jalen Williams cleared for Western Conference finals after hamstring layoff
Jalen Williams confirms he is fit for the Western Conference finals against San Antonio, having missed six games with a strain.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams has confirmed he is fully fit to compete in the upcoming Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The wing, who missed the previous six games due to a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring, stated he is taking extra recovery time to ensure he is healthy for the series.
Williams made the announcement via a video posted to his YouTube channel on Friday. He explained that the Thunder’s 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Lakers allowed him to extend his recovery period beyond the original plan. He noted that there was no point in rushing back and potentially risking further injury when the team was already in a commanding position.
"I'm about to go into another series healthy," Williams said in the video, which was recorded before the Thunder completed a sweep of the Lakers. He added that he had not had to rush back from his hamstring issues and was taking extra days to ensure he was ready for the next phase of the playoffs.
The Thunder have remained undefeated at 8-0 in the postseason so far, having dispatched the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. The series against the Lakers was notable for the absence of star player Luka Dončić. Williams was a key contributor to the Thunder’s championship run last year and is expected to fill a similar role this season, despite his regular season numbers taking a step back from 2024-25.
The upcoming finals will feature a heavyweight contest between the Thunder and the Spurs. Both teams posted strong regular seasons, with Oklahoma City recording 64 wins and San Antonio 62. The Spurs won the season series 4-1 and advanced to the finals by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in a six-game series, outscoring them by 97 points over the course of the series.
Williams’ return will be significant for Oklahoma City’s defensive capabilities against a Spurs team featuring Victor Wembanyama and a roster with no shortage of perimeter threats. The Thunder have struggled to find answers for San Antonio’s offensive depth in previous matchups, making Williams’ availability a crucial factor for the series.
