The Oklahoma City Thunder put on a dazzling display on Wednesday night, routing the Phoenix Suns 136-109 in a game that showcased the team’s remarkable depth—but also raised fresh concerns about the health of one of their brightest stars, Jalen Williams. For Thunder fans, it was a night of both jubilation and anxiety as Williams, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, delivered a near-flawless performance before being forced to exit with what appeared to be a recurrence of the same issue.
Entering the contest, the Thunder were already considered one of the NBA’s top contenders, with many analysts touting them as frontrunners to repeat as champions. Their success this season has been built around the elite playmaking of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the versatile skill set of Jalen Williams. Williams, now in his fourth season with Oklahoma City, has carved out a reputation as a one-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, lauded for his ability to score at all three levels, defend multiple positions, and serve as a secondary creator to ease the offensive load on Gilgeous-Alexander.
But Wednesday’s game was all about Williams’ electric return to form. After missing 10 straight games with a right hamstring strain, Williams had just made his comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. He wasted no time making his presence felt against the Suns, scoring 28 points in just 20 minutes of action. What’s more, he did it with remarkable efficiency, shooting 11-for-12 from the field and adding five assists and four rebounds. According to Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com, Williams “departed the game late in the third quarter grabbing at his right hamstring, which is the same hamstring that he strained in mid-January, resulting in him missing 10 consecutive games.”
Williams’ scoring outburst was particularly explosive in the third quarter, where he poured in 19 of his 28 points. His ability to attack the rim, pull up from mid-range, and find open teammates kept the Suns’ defense off balance all night. Through his first 20 minutes, Williams had only one turnover—a testament to his control and decision-making. As the Thunder built a commanding 29-point lead in the second quarter and pushed their advantage to 103-66 late in the third, it looked like Oklahoma City was cruising to another statement win.
However, the mood shifted late in the third quarter. Williams missed a driving layup, then immediately grabbed at his right hamstring and headed to the locker room. He did not return to the game, and the sight of him leaving the court had Thunder fans holding their breath. The injury is especially concerning given his recent absence and the fact that he also underwent offseason surgery on his right wrist. Head coach Mark Daigneault had nothing but praise for Williams after the game, telling reporters, “He was cooking. That was impressive. He was in a great flow. It was an unbelievable complete game. It completes a really memorable trip for him with the high school jersey retirement last night and then for him to play in his hometown the way he did in front of his people. It’s pretty special,” as reported by Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Unfortunately, Daigneault did not provide an update on Williams’ status moving forward.
Despite Williams’ early exit, the Thunder showed why they’re considered such a dangerous team. Seven players finished in double figures, and the bench contributed a staggering 74 points. Reserve guard Isaiah Joe tied his season high with 21 points, nailing six three-pointers, while Kenrich Williams added 15 points off the bench. Jaren McCain, a recent trade acquisition from Philadelphia, chipped in 12 points in just his third game with the team. Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins also posted 12 and 11 points, respectively, underscoring the Thunder’s ability to get production from up and down the roster.
Oklahoma City was deadly from the field, shooting an eye-popping 58.4% overall and converting 15 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc. Their offensive onslaught was relentless, as they raced out to a 37-25 lead after the first quarter and went on a 31-12 run in the second to take a 73-44 advantage. By halftime, the Thunder were up 75-52, and the rout was on.
The Suns, meanwhile, were hamstrung by injuries of their own. They played without leading scorer Devin Booker (ankle injury management), Jalen Green (hamstring injury management), and Grayson Allen (knee). Dillon Brooks did what he could, scoring 23 points, while Royce O’Neale hit four three-pointers for 12 points. But Phoenix never seriously threatened after the early going, and their frustrations boiled over when Brooks picked up his 16th technical foul of the season in the second quarter. That infraction triggers an automatic one-game suspension and a $5,000 fine, adding insult to injury for a Suns squad already reeling from absences.
For the Thunder, the victory marked their second blowout of the Suns this season. Back in December, Oklahoma City handed Phoenix the worst loss in franchise history, a 138-89 demolition in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The two teams are set to meet again on the final day of the regular season in Oklahoma City, a matchup that could carry playoff implications depending on how the Western Conference standings shake out.
It’s worth noting that the Thunder were without their own superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for the fourth consecutive game as he deals with an abdominal injury. Oklahoma City is now 2-2 in his absence, and he’s expected to be reevaluated following the All-Star break. The team’s ability to thrive without their MVP speaks volumes about their depth and resilience, but the health of both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will be critical to any hopes of a deep playoff run.
Looking at the bigger picture, Jalen Williams’ season has been a study in perseverance. Through 25 games, he’s averaging 17.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, shooting 46.5% from the floor and 29.0% from three-point range. His versatility and two-way impact make him indispensable to the Thunder’s championship aspirations. But with another hamstring scare casting a shadow over his brilliant night, the Thunder face an anxious wait for further updates.
As the All-Star break approaches and the playoff race intensifies, Oklahoma City’s mix of youthful exuberance and battle-tested talent continues to turn heads around the league. For now, the Thunder faithful can savor another dominant win—but the status of Jalen Williams will be the storyline to watch in the days ahead.