The Oklahoma City Thunder already look like a problem for the whole league. Best record, best net rating, winning 15 of their first 16 games, barely breaking a sweat. But the scary bit? They’re doing all this without Jalen Williams, who is closing in on his return from summer wrist surgery.
Once he’s back, this team might go up another gear entirely.
Williams has been out since pre season with the injury to his right wrist, but reports in the States say he’s edging towards full fitness and could make his season debut soon. Others have stepped up in the meantime Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren all raising the scoring load but none bring the nightly threat Williams does.
Mitchell has been electric some nights, Hartenstein’s chipped in bursts, and Holmgren’s still finding consistency. But Williams doesn’t just show flashes. He’s a guaranteed bucket, an All NBA calibre scorer who’d be the main man at a dozen other clubs, but happens to share a court with Shai Gilgeous Alexander, arguably the league’s best scorer right now.
More than the points, he gives Oklahoma City tactical flexibility. They morph into whatever they need to be: Williams can run at point, play on the wing, or slide in as a small ball five next to Holmgren. Last season he averaged 21.6 points and 5.1 assists, often generating 30+ points of offence by himself, and that was before a summer of extra development when he was forced to sharpen his left hand due to the injury.
His return also plugs a clear weakness three point shooting. The Thunder’s perimeter numbers dipped in stretches last year and haven’t fully fixed themselves this campaign. Isaiah Joe being back helps, Shai’s shooting has rebounded, but OKC still need another high end shooter and Williams ticks that box.
And defensively he’s the real deal. One of the most versatile stoppers in the league, he’s marked everyone from Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant to Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama. He made the NBA All Defensive Team last season, and even if he won’t meet award criteria this year due to missed games, he’ll still defend at that same level.
There might be a bit of rust early doors, fair enough. But give it a week or two and the Thunder could hit heights no one’s seen from them yet. Their flaws small as they are won’t completely disappear, but everything sharpens once Williams is back in rhythm.
Already frightening. Soon, potentially unstoppable.
