Jaylin Williams is day-to-day with a heel and leg issue and will not play in Oklahoma City's preseason opener against the Pelicans on Tuesday. The Thunder's frontcourt minutes shift to Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein in his absence.
What happened
Oklahoma City listed Jaylin Williams as day-to-day on Tuesday's 6:31 p.m. ET injury report, with a heel and leg issue and no previous designation attached. Clemente Almanza of USA Today reported that Williams, bothered by the heel, will not play in Tuesday's preseason opener against the Pelicans. The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 7. Williams, a 24-year-old forward, averaged 19.7 minutes per game last season. No further detail on the heel has been reported beyond its listing alongside the leg designation.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City opens its preseason Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET against the Pelicans, and it will do so without Williams, who posted 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 19.7 minutes across 65 games last season. The Thunder enter at 0-0, with the 2026-27 season not yet underway and no record split available with or without Williams this year. His frontcourt minutes figure to go to Chet Holmgren, who averaged 29.0 minutes and 17.1 points in the sample without Williams on the floor, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who logged 24.2 minutes and 9.2 points. Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins also saw expanded roles in those minutes.
What to watch
Oklahoma City's next injury report will show whether Williams' day-to-day status changes before the team's remaining preseason games. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 7, though no additional timeline or diagnosis beyond the heel and leg designation has been announced. Williams' status bears watching as the Thunder continue preseason play ahead of the 2026-27 regular-season opener.
Is Jaylin Williams playing vs. Pelicans?
No. Williams is day-to-day with a heel and leg issue and will not play in Tuesday's preseason opener against the Pelicans, according to the injury report.
When will Jaylin Williams be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 7. No further timeline has been announced.