Thunder star Jalen Williams carries 'good energy' despite new hamstring injury

Williams appears to be undeterred by the injury, which OKC says he'll be re-evaluated for on a weekly basis. NBA and NFL injury insider Dr. Evan Jeffries estimated a recovery timeline of one to two weeks for a Grade 1 strain.

It's simply another challenge in the story of the cinema-loving NBA champ, who overcame a right shooting wrist injury and two right hamstring strains during the regular season. It's simply a delay before his inevitable return to the floor, where he showcased his superpowers this postseason.

Williams showed overwhelming strength with his drives to the rim, lethal accuracy with his shooting and eye-catching vision with his playmaking. All of that helped him average 20.5 points and five assists through OKC's first two playoff games on 61.5% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from deep.

"Dub has been amazing," Thunder forward Chet Holmgren said of Williams. "It isn't surprising. He seems to do pretty much everything you could ask out of a player every single night he steps onto the floor. ... He's a game changer. He changes the whole game on both ends when he's out there."

Williams has no shortage of superpowers. That's what makes him one of the most versatile players in all of basketball.

But perhaps his most impressive power is his ability to stay positive throughout this season. One where he has only played in a career-low 35 games, including two playoff outings.

That could be seen by those inside the locker room after Wednesday's game, as head coach Mark Daigneault said Williams was "joking around" despite his abrupt departure midway through the third quarter. And it could be seen for a brief moment on his way out of Paycom Center.

More: Jalen Williams' injury just about only downer for Thunder vs Suns, but it's a big one

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams arrives before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 2

Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Williams cracked a joke about the crowd of reporters huddled around the locker room's double doors before walking past them. His strides were slow and short, but there was no noticeable limp. Not like when he first strained his right hamstring during a road game against Miami on Jan. 17.

It's a good sign for Williams. And so is the fact that he’s in good spirits, per usual.

“It means a lot,” Thunder forward Jaylin Williams said of Jalen Williams’ positivity. “It just shows the type of person he is to be able to provide good energy to the team regardless of what he's going through. It’s tough to stay positive when you’re dealing with personal things, but Dub is a positive person. He brings that for us every single day.”

Based on Thursday's announcement, Williams will at least miss Games 3-5 of the first round. Game 5 would only be played Wednesday if necessary since OKC holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Assuming the Thunder can close things out, the question then becomes what Williams' availability will look like for the second round. OKC would face the winner of Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers.

How much of that series would Williams miss? How would the Thunder fare during his absence? Will Williams have all of his powers when he does return?

All of that remains to be seen. But as the movie clip Williams posted suggested, OKC's championship run carries on. Its players still hope to fulfill their destiny of adding another diamond-coated championship ring to their collection.

The chase for stones continues.

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for theThunder Sports Minute newsletterto access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jalen Williams channels Thanos after hamstring injury in NBA Playoffs