The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a historic pace through 19 games, even with their second-best player yet to make his season debut. Fortunately, All-Star forward Jalen Williams is inching closer to his return and just received an encouraging injury update from head coach Mark Daigneault.

Jalen Williams Is Inching Closer to His Season Debut

With Wednesday night’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Thunder moved to 18-1 overall. It certainly wasn’t pretty in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40 points carried the defending champs once again in this 113-105 victory.

The Thunder have taken another leap this year, continually finding different ways to win, even when not playing their A game. In this case, Mark Daigneault’s team shot just 26.9% from three-point range but was able to lean on their franchise superstar and deep bench to escape at home.

Oklahoma City shot 26.9% from 3 tonight.

Minnesota shot 45.9% from 3 tonight.

Oklahoma City won. pic.twitter.com/1ISLMmNGnb

– Thunder Muse (@ThunderMuse_) November 27, 2025

Fortunately for the Thunder, they should be able to hit another gear soon, amid the latest injury update to Williams. The 2024 All-Star hasn’t played any of his team’s first 19 games, as he recuperates from offseason wrist surgery.

Daigneault, however, recently confirmed to OKC beat reporter Josue Pavón that the 24-year-old’s return is imminent. Almost unsurprisingly, the Thunder’s head coach gave full credit to Williams for how he has handled his rehab throughout this absence.

“[He’s] day-to-day, and is doing a great job,” Daigneault said. “There’s so much invisible work that goes into a return to play that you guys don’t get the opportunity to see, and we don’t even get the opportunities.

I rolled in this morning, getting ready for our staff meeting, and I was walking to the back, and he’s already there at whatever time it was – 8:15 – getting his PT work in. He was on the court by 8:30. That’s the work you have to put in day after day without the immediate carrot of playing when you’re going through a rehab.”

Oklahoma City Thunder Are Trying To Establish Themselves As the NBA’s Next Dynasty

It’s safe to say that Williams’ return gives the Thunder even better odds to break the Golden State Warriors’ legendary 73-9 record. And even if the defending champs do not accomplish this staggering feat, all signs point to them as the clear-cut favorite to repeat.

The Thunder are now 18-1, and Jalen Williams still hasn’t made his season debut yet.

Oklahoma City is currently on pace to break the NBA’s all-time record for most wins in a season, plus best net rating ever.

The defending champs are a true juggernaut.pic.twitter.com/6stAvvqvXz

– Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 27, 2025

The Western Conference is more formidable than last year. The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers have all considerably improved, while the San Antonio Spurs and the Timberwolves are both credible threats with emerging superstars.

Nevertheless, all of these teams are still chasing the defending champs, who are on pace for an unprecedented accomplishment in an era geared towards parity.