Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams has been taken off the court on a stretcher after a serious left leg injury late in a 108-101 win over the LA Clippers.
The injury happened with just over a minute left at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday night US time (early Monday afternoon AEDT). Williams drove to the basket and went up for a dunk, but was sandwiched in mid-air by Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr, and his left leg was trapped under him as he landed, CBS Sports reported.
Thunder staff covered his leg with towels before it was placed in an air cast and he was stretchered off. Williams gave the crowd a thumbs up as he left, while fans chanted “J-Dub”, according to Yahoo Sports.
No diagnosis yet
The Thunder had not given a diagnosis or a timeline after the game, and ESPN described it as a significant injury. Coach Mark Daigneault did not have any specifics on the nature of the injury.
“We’re not doing great. That’s tough on the guys,” Daigneault said after the game.
Read more: Cason Wallace Agrees Five-Year, $139m Thunder Extension
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the back-to-back MVP, was visibly emotional on court and in his post-game interview. “I just feel bad for him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Nothing more than that.”
A cruel run for Williams
Williams had eight points on 3-of-8 shooting, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes before the injury, Sports Illustrated reported. The win moved Oklahoma City to 3-0 for the season.
Read more: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes 14th Player in NBA History to Win Back-to-Back MVPs
The 25-year-old was an All-Star, All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team pick in 2025, and averaged 23.6 points in the 2025 Finals as the Thunder won the championship. He had wrist surgery after that title run and was limited to a career-low 33 games last season by hamstring problems, and watched from the bench in street clothes as the Thunder lost Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Thunder play the Phoenix Suns on Monday night US time, the second game of a back-to-back.
More News
