NBA: Thunder Guard Jalen Williams set to play in Game 1 vs. Spurs

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams is expected to return for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs after missing six playoff games due to a hamstring injury. Williams, who averaged 17.1 points in the regular season, has been a key playoff performer with 20.6 points per game in his career postseason appearances.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / REUTERS

May 19, 2026

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams reacts to a shot by forward Luguentz Dort during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 18, 2026.

Alonzo Adams / Reuters

Jalen Williams is expected to return to action for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, providing a significant boost to the Oklahoma City lineup.

Williams has been removed from the team’s injury report after missing the last six playoff games due to a hamstring injury. His return comes at a crucial stage of the postseason as the Thunder continue their push toward an NBA title.

The All-Star guard played the first two games of Oklahoma City’s first-round sweep over the Phoenix Suns but was sidelined for the entire four-game series sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

Williams, who earned his first All-Star selection in 2025, averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 33 games—all starts—during the regular season after recovering from wrist surgery in the offseason.

Across his playoff career, Williams has been highly productive, averaging 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 35 games. He delivered one of the standout performances of the 2025 NBA Finals, scoring 40 points in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers as Oklahoma City ultimately captured the championship in a seven-game series.

His return is expected to strengthen Oklahoma City’s backcourt depth and offensive versatility as the team prepares for a high-stakes matchup in the Western Conference Finals. -Field Level Media/Reuters