Shai-Gilgeous Alexander scored 34 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder stayed undefeated but they lost All-Star guard Jalen Williams to what appeared to be a serious leg injury during their 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
Oklahoma City won their third straight game to start the season but lost three players to injury, including Williams, who went down hard on a drive to the basket with 1:14 left. The guard’s left leg gave way as he landed and his foot bent at an unnatural angle. The 25-year-old left the court on a stretcher with towels covering his injured leg. He covered his mouth with his hands when he looked down at the injury while Gilgeous-Alexander and players on both teams appeared to be in shock.
“We’re not doing great,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after the game. He added that the team would be updated on the injury on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander was in tears as he spoke about Williams after the game.
“I just feel bad for him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that. But he’s not gone for ever. 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 missed 49 games last season due to a variety of injuries but was a key part of the Thunder’s title campaign in 2025.
Thunder guard Cason Wallace (left shoulder soreness) and forward Jaylin Williams (right wrist soreness) left the game in the first quarter and did not return.