Thunder star Jalen Williams was taken off the floor on a stretcher Sunday night after suffering a horrific left leg injury with less than two minutes remaining in Oklahoma City’s 108-101 win over the Clippers.
The gruesome injury had Williams’ left foot bending unnaturally after he awkwardly landed on it while being fouled. Thunder medical personnel quickly covered Williams’ leg with a towel as he and other players on the court reacted in shock.
The injury had such an impact on star teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that he fought back tears in his postgame interview.
“I don’t even know,” Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked what was going through his mind after the game. “I just feel bad for him. Nothing more than that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander — the two-time reigning MVP — continued and said the team will keep fighting without Williams.
“It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that,” he said. “But he’s not gone forever. He’ll be back better than ever, and we know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”
Williams, 25, has already been named an All-Star and All-NBA player since being drafted 12th overall by the Thunder in 2022. He played a big role in the Thunder’s championship run in 2025, but missed 49 games last season due to multiple injuries, including a hamstring and recovery from right wrist surgery.
The Thunder did not immediately diagnose Williams’ injury, and head coach Mark Daigneault said postgame that the team will be updated on Monday morning.
“We’re not doing great,” Daigneault said.
The Thunder play the second half of a back-to-back on Monday night against the Suns at home.
