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Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti revealed on Monday that starters Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace will both require surgery to address injuries incurred during Sunday's victory against the LA Clippers. The procedures will sideline both players for extended periods, with exact return timelines to be determined post-operation.
Williams Suffers Severe Leg Injury
Forward Jalen Williams sustained a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle, Presti confirmed. The injury occurred with 1:14 remaining in the game when Williams was fouled on a drive and landed awkwardly, causing his left leg to collapse and his ankle to bend at an unnatural angle. Medical personnel immediately attended to him as teammates and Clippers players looked on in shock. Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander buried his face in his jersey and bent down near Williams. Williams was placed on a stretcher and wheeled off the court to a standing ovation, giving the crowd two thumbs-up as he departed.
Wallace Out with Shoulder Injury
Cason Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder, according to Presti. Both injuries typically necessitate multi-month rehabilitation, casting doubt on the availability of Williams and Wallace for the remainder of the season.
Injury Woes Continue for Williams
Williams, 25, an All-Star and All-NBA selection two seasons ago, has endured a miserable stretch of injury misfortune over the last 18 months. He played the entire playoffs during the Thunder's 2025 championship run despite a torn ligament in his right (shooting) wrist that required surgery, delivering a 40-point performance in the pivotal Game 5 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. The recovery from that wrist surgery caused him to miss the first 19 games of last season, followed by recurring strains to both.
Originally reported by players_bio.