Jalen Williams Is Back, and the NBA Should Be Terrified
When you thought the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t possibly get more ridiculous, here comes the news every other team in the Western Conference was dreading. Jalen Williams, the guy who played through a torn ligament in his wrist during last season’s title run like some basketball-playing Terminator, is officially back.
That’s right. The Thunder, currently sitting pretty at a ludicrous 18-1, are about to add an All-NBA, All-Defense guard to their lineup. It almost feels unfair, like letting a shark into a kiddie pool.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer absurdity of this situation. The Thunder have been dismantling opponents with a point differential that looks like a typo (+16.5), a feat that puts them in the company of some of the most dominant teams in NBA history. And they did all of that without one of their best players. While Williams was recovering from wrist surgery in July and a follow-up procedure in October to remove a screw because, of course, he needed hardware removed, his team was busy making the rest of the league look like a junior varsity squad.
The Return of Jalen Williams Changes Everything
Forget the cautious optimism. Williams isn’t just another player returning from injury; he’s a foundational piece of this Thunder dynasty-in-the-making. Last season, he quietly became one of the league’s most complete players, dropping a cool 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He was one of only two players, alongside Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, to snag both All-NBA and All-Defense honors. That’s not just good; that’s elite.
And let’s talk about that defense. The man was a walking lockdown, leading the league in points per direct isolation allowed. Basically, if you tried to go one-on-one with Jalen Williams, you were going to have a very, very bad time. He and his partner-in-crime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, created a backcourt duo that was less a partnership and more a basketball nightmare for opposing offenses. Together, they racked up 1,180 points in the 2025 playoffs alone. Now, they’re reunited. Good luck, everyone else.
What Does This Mean for the Thunder?
While Williams was out, guys like Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Joe stepped up admirably. Mitchell has been putting up solid numbers, and Joe has been shooting the lights out from beyond the arc. It’s a testament to the Thunder’s depth and “next man up” mentality. But let’s be honest, they aren’t Jalen Williams.
The Thunder will likely be smart about easing him back into the rotation. They’ve done this before with Chet Holmgren, patiently working him back into game shape after a long absence. So don’t expect him to play 40 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. But even a limited Williams is a problem for the rest of the league. His presence alone shifts defenses and opens up even more space for SGA to work his magic.
The only downside to this whole saga? By missing the first 19 games, Williams is no longer eligible for postseason awards, which means he also misses out on a hefty $287 million supermax contract kicker. It’s a tough financial pill to swallow, but you have to imagine that lifting another championship trophy will be a pretty decent consolation prize.
The league was already on notice. Now, with the return of Williams, the message is crystal clear: the Thunder aren’t just coming for the crown; they’re coming to build an empire. And it starts now.
