After a 122-120 loss to the Heat on Saturday, the Thunder are 35-8 in 2025-26. That is still the top record in the NBA by five games. Oklahoma City is 7-3 in its last 10.
Against Miami over the weekend, one-time all-star Jalen Williams suffered a right leg injury. The 24-year-old was later diagnosed with a right hamstring strain. NBA insider Ryan Stiles reported Williams is now out indefinitely. Not ideal for OKC at this point in the year. Who will step up for the Thunder as Jalen Williams is set to miss extended time?
Jalen Williams is out due to a hamstring strain he suffered on Saturday
BREAKING: Jalen Williams is out indefinitely with a right hamstring strain, per @RealGM
Tough loss for OKC. pic.twitter.com/5z7yVlqCzx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 19, 2026
With the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Thunder selected Jalen Williams out of Santa Clara. He’s appeared in 239 games over four seasons and has made 226 starts. Williams has been a full-time starter for head coach Mark Daigneault since 2023-24. After winning the NBA Finals in 2025, Jalen Williams had offseason surgery on his right wrist. It’s an injury Williams battled through in the postseason. Additionally, Williams missed the first 19 games of the 2025-26 season due to injury.
Williams did not make his season debut until November 28 vs. the Suns. So far this year, he’s appeared in 24 of the team’s 43 games. Jalen Williams suffered a hamstring strain mid-way through the second quarter on Saturday. OKC’s star SG was in discomfort and was holding at the back of his leg. On Sunday afternoon, NBA insiders reported that Jalen Williams is out indefinitely for the Thunder. He could miss significant time again for OKC.
Jalen Williams Out Indefinitely Due To Right Hamstring Strain https://t.co/V7J0BvN0gj
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 18, 2026
In 2025-26, Jalen Williams has missed 19 games for the Thunder. The team is 18-1 when he doesn’t play. Luckily, the Thunder have a deep lineup. They have several players who are capable of handling a larger workload. First off, Chet Holmgren will be asked to contribute more offensively. He’s averaging 17.8 points per game this season. However, the team needs Holmgren to hit another level while Williams is out.
Head coach Mark Daigneault has had to shuffle the starting lineup this season with several long-term injuries. Players like Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Ajay Mitchell have all been key contributors. Wallace is the player most likely to be plugged into the starting lineup for OKC. He’s started 33 of his 41 appearances this season. A majority of those starts came when Jalen Williams missed the first 19 games. For now, the Thunder will quickly adjust while Jalen Williams is out. OKC is on the road Monday night to face the Cavaliers.
