Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams will miss Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left hamstring strain. This injury first occurred in Game 2 of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. After missing six games, he managed to return but faced setbacks, leaving the court again in Game 6 after just 10 minutes.
Despite Williams being sidelined, the Thunder have shown resilience. They are 8-1 in the postseason without him. Oklahoma City has depth on its roster, which has helped fill the gap left by Williams.
In the previous season, Williams had an impressive track record, earning a spot on the All-NBA Third Team and his first All-Star selection. With an average of 21.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, his performance was crucial in leading the team to an NBA title. However, injuries have limited him to just 33 games this year, though he still managed to average 17.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
In his absence, guard Jared McCain has stepped up as a starter. Since joining from the Philadelphia 76ers, McCain has averaged 12.6 points per game in the playoffs. Backup big man Jaylin Williams has also played a vital role, contributing to Oklahoma City’s success in recent games.
As fans gear up for Game 7, the Thunder will need to lean on their depth and pick up the slack without one of their star players. This matchup will take place in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
For more insights into the NBA playoffs and team performances, check out the NBA Injury Report here.
