As 2025-26 Opening Night nears, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been reminded of the price they paid to bring home an NBA championship. The biggest storyline out of their training camp and preseason added a new chapter. Jalen Williams’ status remains unknown.

Most should know this by now, but Williams battled through the Thunder’s playoff run with an injured wrist. He received daily pain-numbing shots to play through the playoffs. The two-month journey was worth it as he was the second-best player on an NBA champion.

Afterward, Williams had surgery to repair a torn wrist ligament. Three months later, he’s still in the recovery process. The All-Star has yet to suit up in a preseason game. He’s done light work at practice and in pregame, but that usually involves his left hand. His surgically-repaired right hand is still recovering, despite shedding a brace last month.

With less than two weeks until the Thunder host the Houston Rockets for the 2025-26 season opener, fans have questioned if he’ll be ready in time to face Kevin Durant and company. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault provided an injury update before their 122-116 preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

“He’s on his return to play,” Daigneault said. “He’s progressing on a normal timeline and taking it a day at a time.”

While this is technically an update, it doesn’t really provide any new information on Williams’ wrist recovery. We likely won’t truly find out if he’ll be cleared to play by Opening Night until closer to the Oct. 21 date.

It’s difficult to forecast how close Williams is to a return, too. Anytime he’s been at the practice facility, he’s only done lightwork during the media viewing portions of practice. And when not, he’s jokingly telling reporters to leave so he can presumably do more in privacy.

If Williams is back by then, that’s great. He’s put in offseason and training camp work despite the wrist surgery. If not, then oh well. That’s the price you pay to win an NBA championship. Zero regrets should exist for the 24-year-old to battle through the torn ligament since it won them a Larry O’Brien trophy. If it means missing the start of the 2025-26 regular season, that’s a trade-off any NBA franchise and player would take in a heartbeat.