The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals tonight. After a dominant Game 1 win over LeBron James and co., the reigning NBA champions will hope to take the next step in their bid to make the Conference Finals.
Jalen Williams Injury Update: Will the Thunder Guard Play in Game 2 vs. the Lakers?
As the Thunder look to maintain their dominant start to the NBA Playoffs, they will once again be without Jalen Williams in Game 2. The star guard remains sidelined with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and has been officially ruled out of tonight’s game.
Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Game 2 of the Thunder’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. Ahead of the Western Conference Semifinals, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault had said that the 6-foot-5 guard was week-to-week, but he remains sidelined at the moment.
It remains to be seen when Williams could make his return for the Thunder. He has now been sidelined for more than two weeks, and the Thunder will hope to have him back as they look to successfully defend the NBA Championship this year.
It has been a frustrating year so far for the 25-year-old, who has had to deal with several injury setbacks. He missed 49 games during the regular season and is now sidelined with another injury.
Williams was a crucial part of the Oklahoma City Thunder team that won the NBA Championship last season, averaging 21.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. In 33 regular-season games this season, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
Ajay Mitchell started for the Thunder in the absence of Williams in Game 1 against the Lakers. The 23-year-old scored 18 points in 28 minutes on 7-of-16 shooting to help the Thunder claim a 108-90 win.
Chet Holmgren stepped up for the Thunder in Game 1, scoring 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also chipped in with 18 points in the dominant Game 1 win.
The Thunder will also be without rookie center Thomas Sorber on Thursday, as he has been sidelined with a torn ACL.
The Lakers have injury concerns of their own heading into Game 2, with Luka Dončić sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jarred Vanderbilt is dealing with neck soreness and is questionable, while Luke Kennard is a doubt with a finger dislocation. The game will tip-off at 9:30 p.m. tonight.
