Exclusive: Medical expert offers thoughts on Jalen Williams' hamstring strain

To see what Williams' situation looks like, Thunder Wire talked to Dr. Tony Wanich, a sports medicine surgeon at HSS. He specializes in the management of injuries to the shoulder, knee, and elbow. He has been recognized as one of New York’s top doctors in Castle Connolly since 2016. Dr. Wanich is an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and is a Team Physician for the New York Red Bulls Soccer Team and the New York Mets.

Of course, important to note that Dr. Wanich is not privy to Williams' situation. So these are just an outside opinion of what a hamstring strain usually includes. Here's what he had to say:

Williams' potential return

Q: First off, when do you think Williams could return to the playoffs? Considering his recent history of three hamstring strains in four months.

A: He reportedly has a grade 1 hamstring strain, which is promising, and he could potentially return as soon as 2 weeks.  While it is reported to be a grade 1 strain, the location of the injury, as well as the tissue involvement (muscle, tendon, muscle-tendon junction), also matters and can significantly affect the recovery timeframe.

Williams' recent hamstring injuries

Q: I know this was on his left leg instead of his right, but do you think Williams' recent hamstring problems played a role in this latest injury? Is there an accumulative factor in this?

A: He certainly could have been overcompensating for his right leg. It is also likely an indication of excess workload.

Williams' injury-riddled year

Q: Why do you think Williams has struggled so much to stay healthy with his hamstring injuries?

A: Unfortunately, these are challenging injuries for all athletes. Oftentimes, these injuries take a lot longer to heal than we anticipate and players often return too soon, which increases the risk for recurrent injuries. Additionally, he may not have had adequate time to optimize his conditioning, given the wrist issues he was dealing with early in the season.

Williams' potential return

Q: Once Williams returns, what do you think the plan will be? Do you believe a minute restriction could be enforced? They did in the regular season, but obviously, the stakes are different in the NBA playoffs.

A: I think they will monitor his minutes and workload very carefully. I'm sure the training staff will have suggestions regarding minutes, but it's the playoffs, so players and coaches tend to push the limits.

Williams' chronic problems

Q: Once Williams returns, do you think he won't have any other problems? Or could the hamstring flare up again? The constant starts and stops with his playing time have really traumatized the OKC fanbase.

A: Hamstring injuries are notorious for recurrence, especially if not given adequate time to recover. Additionally, if his hamstring isn't fully recovered, it puts him at risk for other lower extremity injuries.

Likely cause of Williams' injury

Q: Hamstring injuries are notorious for recurrence, especially if not given adequate time to recover. Additionally, if his hamstring isn't fully recovered, it puts him at risk for other lower extremity injuries.

A: I do think this is likely a factor. It's a long season and takes a tremendous amount of conditioning and endurance. Having the delay and interruptions from his wrist surgery certainly impacted his preseason training and he may not have had adequate time to ramp back up during the regular season interruption.

Beyond the short-term future

Q: Do you think these hamstring problems can become chronic? Or will the upcoming offseason give him enough time to fully get over it? I fear we're going down the same scary route as Aaron Gordon, who's had hamstring injuries for years.

A: They certainly can be chronic, but given what he's had experienced this season**,** I'm sure he and the team will focus on making the hamstrings as bulletproof as possible in the offseason.

Williams' mental and emotional stress

Q: How do you think a third hamstring strain could affect Williams mentally and emotionally? Those are two elements I think fly under the radar. The constant rehabs and re-injuries must be taxing.

A: Great point. These are devastating injuries mentally, especially given the setbacks he's had this season. It definitely weighs on players and can make them apprehensive and tentative.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Exclusive: Medical expert offers thoughts on Jalen Williams' hamstring strain