Since Jalen Williams returned to the Oklahoma City Thunder after an extended recovery from wrist surgery, his performance has not met the high expectations set from his previous season, where he earned All-NBA honors. After dominating early in the season with an impressive 18-1 record, the Thunder now sit at a solid 13-6 after 19 games, but Williams’ contributions have been somewhat muted, ranking eighth in net rating and struggling with an offensive rating that places him among the lowest on the team.
Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his shooting wrist, a significant injury that required approximately four months of rehabilitation before he was able to shoot again. ESPN analyst Tim MacMahon pointed out that Williams is in the process of reacquiring his shooting form. He noted, “Jalen Williams, their number two guy offensively, is learning how to shoot jump shots again with a surgically repaired wrist. He’s regaining his feel. This is going to be a process.” MacMahon emphasized that doubting Williams so early in the season shows a lack of understanding about basketball recovery processes, especially after a major surgery.
Despite his current struggles, Williams boasts strong all-around statistics, averaging 17.2 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. Additionally, his performance in critical moments has been noteworthy, ranking just behind teammate Chet Holmgren in clutch-time field goal percentage in recent games.
As Williams continues to regain his strength and shooting touch, expectations should be tempered. The upcoming mid-season All-Star break offers a timely opportunity for him to focus on his recovery, ideally setting the stage for a stronger second half of the season as the Thunder aim for another championship run. Each game provides an opportunity for Williams to further adjust and return to form, and with patience, both he and the Thunder can look forward to a brighter future on the court.