Jalen Williams is listed as day-to-day with a left hamstring injury, and the injury report says he was ruled out for Saturday's Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. His expected return is Oct. 1, five days before Oklahoma City opens the 2026-27 season on Oct. 6 against the Pelicans.
What happened
The Thunder's injury report listed Jalen Williams as day-to-day on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 4:32 a.m. ET, with a left hamstring issue. His previous status is not announced. The report noted that Williams had already been ruled out for Saturday's Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs because of the hamstring. The report also lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, which would put him back before Oklahoma City's next game on the schedule.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City opens 2026-27 on Oct. 6 against the Pelicans; the team is 0-0 with the season not yet underway, so there is no record split with or without Williams yet. Last season he averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 28.4 minutes over 33 games. In his absence, minutes shift toward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, per recent box scores.
What to watch
The Thunder update injury reports on a rolling basis, and the next one will show whether Williams's hamstring has progressed. His expected return is listed as Oct. 1, which would have him back before Oklahoma City's regular-season opener against the Pelicans on Oct. 6. Other Thunder players on the same report — Ajay Mitchell (calf), Thomas Sorber (knee), Otega Oweh (lower leg) and Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) — are also day-to-day heading into the opener.
Is Jalen Williams playing vs Pelicans?
Not specifically announced for that game. Williams is currently day-to-day with a left hamstring injury, and his expected return date of Oct. 1 falls before Oklahoma City's Oct. 6 opener against the Pelicans.
When will Jalen Williams be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1.