May 2, 2026, 4:31 p.m. CT
Recently kicking the local media out, Jalen Williams has barely relaxed in their latest mini-vacation. As the Oklahoma City Thunder will have eight days between their Game 4 win over the Phoenix Suns and Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, the All-NBA talent is putting in the work to get ready.
Williams has struggled through an injury-riddled year. He only played 33 games in the 2025-26 regular season. Two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains sidelined him for most of the year. And then his 2026 NBA playoffs were corrupted just two games in. He sustained another hamstring strain in OKC’s Game 2 win over the Suns.
We’ll see if Williams is back for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. 14 days will have passed from the initial injury and tip-off. According to some social media medical experts, that should be enough time to return from the Grade 1 hamstring strain.
Getting ready for their Round 2 clash, Williams doesn’t even have the most notable hamstring strain injury. Luka Doncic remains out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He’s been out for a month. And it sounds like he’ll be out to start the NBA playoff series.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talked about Williams’ progress at Saturday’s practice. He remains week-to-week with a hamstring strain. This is the first time that OKC has dealt with a postseason absence with this group in four years.
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“He’s chipping away at his rehab,” Daigneault said. “He’s doing a good job.”
The Thunder have grown accustomed to playing without Williams. Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell were a couple of players who stepped up in OKC’s Games 3 and 4 wins over the Suns to complete the Round 1 sweep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added more to his plate. Expect them to lean on a similar formula if the All-NBA talent isn’t ready for Game 1 against the Lakers.