Thunder standout Jalen Williams is finally set to rejoin the lineup, with Shams Charania of ESPN reporting that the young wing will make his long-awaited 2025/26 season debut on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
This marks the end of a months-long recovery process that began after Williams underwent surgery in early July to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist – an injury that, per reports, nagged him throughout Oklahoma City’s 2025 postseason run.
His rehab became even more complicated when he needed a second procedure in late October to remove a screw that had started irritating.
In the days leading up to his return, head coach Mark Daigneault characterized Williams as “day-to-day” before Wednesday’s matchup, and Charania adds that the Thunder plan to take a “patient and cautious” approach as they reintegrate him into the rotation.
The organization seems determined not to rush him, especially given both the significance of his wrist injury and the long-term investment they’ve made in him.
Williams, taken with the 12th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, reached new heights during the 2024/25 season.
He earned his first All-Star selection, secured spots on both the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Defensive Second Team, and played a pivotal role in helping Oklahoma City capture its first championship – a dramatic seven-game Finals triumph over the Indiana Pacers.
His two-way brilliance became one of the defining elements of the Thunder’s title run.
Even though Williams and several other rotation players were unavailable to start this season, Oklahoma City has surged to an 18-1 record, the best in the league.
According to Charania, they also boast a staggering +16.5 point differential, which currently stands as the highest mark in NBA history. That dominant start has relieved pressure to bring Williams back prematurely.
Due to the league’s 65-game requirement for end-of-season awards, Williams has already been ruled out of contention for major accolades this year.
Financially, he is in the final season of his rookie-scale deal, earning $6.6MM in 2025/26.
That number will skyrocket to a projected $41.5MM in 2026/27, the first year of his five-year max rookie extension – a contract that reflects the franchise’s belief in him as a long-term cornerstone.
The 18-1 Thunder will have their All-NBA forward in the lineup on Friday for the first time this season: https://t.co/lk9ZveybsC
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 28, 2025
