Jalen Williams has been cleared, the Oklahoma City Thunder's official injury report shows, moving off the day-to-day tag he had carried through the preseason. The 25-year-old guard-forward is now clear for the Oct. 6 opener against the Pelicans.
What happened
The Thunder's official injury report listed Jalen Williams as cleared on Friday, Sept. 25 at 11:41 a.m. ET, moving him off the day-to-day status he had carried since testing began. The report does not list any lingering detail or comment on the clearance. The issue traces back to Sunday, Sept. 6, when Williams first appeared on the report as day-to-day with a hamstring injury in his left leg. No expected return date was ever attached to that entry, and none is needed now that he is cleared.
What it means for the Thunder
Williams heads into the season opener against the Pelicans on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET at full health. Last season he averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 28.4 minutes across 33 games, and having him available from the start keeps Oklahoma City's perimeter rotation intact alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. The 2026-27 season has not started, so the Thunder carry no record yet, with or without him, to weigh against this clearance.
What to watch
Oklahoma City will update its injury report again as the opener approaches, and any change in status would show up there. No expected return date was ever attached to the hamstring issue, and none applies now that Williams is cleared. The Thunder also list Thomas Sorber, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein and Otega Oweh as day-to-day, so more updates are likely before the Oct. 6 game against New Orleans.
Is Jalen Williams playing vs the Pelicans?
He is cleared. The Thunder's official injury report moved him off day-to-day status on Friday, Sept. 25, ahead of the Oct. 6 opener against New Orleans.
When will Jalen Williams be back?
He is already back. The hamstring issue first flagged Sept. 6 as day-to-day has been cleared, with no return date needed since he is no longer listed as out.