The Western Conference Finals stage is officially set with the San Antonio Spurs taking on the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Having swept through the first two rounds with ease, OKC is just four wins away from a return trip to the NBA Finals.
And ahead of their matchup against a surging San Antonio squad, Oklahoma City has received a much-anticipated update on Jalen Williams’ hamstring injury.
Jalen Williams Provides Injury Update Ahead of the Spurs-Thunder Series
Williams missed the last six playoff games with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. He had originally sustained the injury during Game 2 of the opening round against the Phoenix Suns.
Despite his absence, Oklahoma City reeled off six consecutive wins to sweep both Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers. An 8-0 postseason for the Thunder gave Williams the luxury to take his time to recover.
Williams offered an update on his injury recovery in a vlog recorded before the Lakers were swept by OKC.
“It’s good. I haven’t had to rush back from my hamstring stuff at all,” he said. “I’m actually taking extra days now than what was even originally planned cause we’re up 3-0, so there’s no point going into this series and possibly hurting myself.”
After Friday’s practice session, head coach Mark Daigneault noted Williams was progressing well, stating, “Progressing. Same stuff. I’m not going to give you the blow-by-blow on the details, but he continues to make progress, and he’s doing a great job.”
Williams already endured an injury-marred regular season, featuring in just 33 games due to wrist surgery and hamstring strains, leaving him on the bench for extended periods. He averaged 20.5 points during the first two games of the Phoenix series before his hamstring gave out.
With Williams sidelined, Ajay Mitchell stepped in and provided an immediate offensive spark, averaging 22.5 points and 6.0 assists across four games in the sweep of the Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are inarguably the biggest obstacle to the budding Thunder dynasty so far in these playoffs.
Dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, San Antonio boasts an incredibly imposing frontcourt.
Not to mention that they went 4-1 against the Thunder during the regular season, using their massive size advantage to disrupt Oklahoma City’s offensive flow. San Antonio’s star Victor Wembanyama commands the floor with terrifying efficiency and demands attention at all three levels of the court.
The Spurs have the size and the regular-season head-to-head edge, while the Thunder counter with championship experience and a lethal offense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Come Monday night, the Spurs-OKC matchup will see the absolute best of the Western Conference this season.
