Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams shared that he endured almost 30 painkilling injections to play through a serious wrist injury during the team’s 2025 championship push.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Tuesday, Williams explained that he had been battling a sprained right wrist for much of the season before tearing his scapholunate ligament in a collision with Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker on April 9. He described feeling as if his hand was “on fire” following the incident.
“I got 28 or 29 shots in my hand throughout the playoffs,” Williams said in the video. “And I was like, ‘That can’t be for nothing. We have to win.’ So, that was my mentality.” His comments were reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Despite the injury, Williams was a pivotal contributor throughout Oklahoma City’s postseason run. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 23 playoff games, helping the Thunder capture their first NBA title since 1979.
The 24-year-old recorded several standout performances, including a playoff career-high 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He became the third-youngest player in history to score at least 40 points in a Finals game, trailing only Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook.
Williams also made history by posting at least 25 points and five rebounds in three consecutive Finals games, a feat not achieved by a player under 25 since Shaquille O’Neal in 1995. Oklahoma City defeated Indiana in seven games, with Williams contributing 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the decisive Game 7.
