The latest injury of an OKC star that worries the reigning champion
Jalen Williams left early in the defeat against Miami due to some pain in his right thigh.
Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a significant setback during their visit to Miami on Saturday night. Jalen Williams had to leave the game in the middle of the second quarter after experiencing pain in his right thigh, in a match that ended with the Thunder losing 122-120 against Miami Heat.
The action that led to the injury occurred when Williams attacked the paint and, while in the air, attempted an improvised pass behind his head to Chet Holmgren near the basket. After the move, the guard immediately stopped and began grabbing the back of his right leg, showing clear signs of discomfort.
Williams remained in the offensive zone of Oklahoma City while the game continued for a few seconds. Eight seconds later, the Thunder called a timeout. The player was briefly attended to by the team's medical staff before limping off the court towards the locker room.
Following the initial evaluation, the team reported that Williams had been diagnosed with pain in his right thigh and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. To start the second half, Ajay Mitchell took his place in the starting lineup.
Daigneault confirms follow-up evaluation
At the end of the game, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault stated that Williams will be re-evaluated on Sunday. The Thunder have their next game scheduled for Monday in Cleveland, which raises doubts about the player's availability for that match.
Williams' importance within the team's scheme did not go unnoticed by his teammates. "Obviously, Dub is crucial for us," declared Aaron Wiggins. "So, without him, we are a different team."
Before leaving the game, Williams had recorded 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 13 minutes of play. He entered the match with averages of 17.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game for the season.
The setback comes in a year where the player had already had to overcome physical obstacles. Williams missed the first 19 games of the season while recovering from a wrist surgery performed during the preseason.
Now, the Thunder awaits the results of the medical evaluation to determine the real extent of the injury and the time that could be missed by one of their rotation pillars.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La última lesión de una estrella de OKC que preocupa al vigente campeón