On Sunday night at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City was able to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers 108-101, but it was a no-brainer by the final buzzer. Thunder's star Jalen Williams went to the paint with 1:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, was blocked in the air by Clippers defender Kris Dunn and landed awkwardly on his left leg and cut the roof down. He was stretchered off to a standing ovation and chants of "J-Dub," giving the crowd a pair of thumbs-up on his way out, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 of his game-high 34 points following the injury to close out the win.
| Team | Final |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 101 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 108 |
Oklahoma City improved to 3-1 on the young season; Los Angeles fell to 1-3.
The Thunder held on to a 77-76 advantage after three quarters, so Williams tried his luck on a late-into-the-game charge late in the fourth, when he charged into a gap created by two Clippers defenders. Kris Dunn was able to get a hand to it on what officials ruled a reckless close out and Williams crashed to the ground on his left leg, which bent under him as he landed. Thunder teammates immediately got onto the court as medical staff scrambled out, wrapped the leg in towels and carried out a stretcher. Williams was taken off on a log, was greeted with two thumbs up from the crowd, and Paycom Center received a standing ovation and a chant of Williams' nickname, "J-Dub."
Dunn got a flagrant foul 1 and Gilgeous-Alexander sank Williams' free throws. Play was only interrupted for a moment in the final minute and officials and both benches appeared to be taking a moment to digest what they had just seen before play recommenced.
The Thunder haven't made an official diagnosis or timeline for Williams' injury as of this writing. After the game, head coach Mark Daigneault did not have any news to share with reporters except, “Those are tough, man. We're not doing great.” He said he would provide more details about Williams' condition at the team's meeting on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander was visibly rattled on the court when Williams was taken care of, and became emotional on the postgame floor during his interview. I just feel bad for him, I have no doubt in my mind he'll be back and he's going to be a warrior," he said of teammate and close friend Williams.
The response wasn't limited to the Thunder locker room. Houston's Alperen Sengun went so far as to pray for “jdubb.” Tyrese Haliburton, who was injured in the shattered manner he has been in the 2024 NBA Finals, sent a message of support to Indiana. Orlando's Paolo Banchero, a 2022 draft pick from Williams, did just the same. Replays of the fall made their way onto social media as fans and players from all over the league took to their pages, some likening the sight to some of the more prominent leg injuries in the NBA's history.
But the game was not over for Oklahoma City, nor was its franchise player. On 13-of-26 shooting, Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 of his own in the second half alone as the Thunder kept their lead with the pressure of the late-game because Williams' injury kept jamming the ball home. Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as Ajay Mitchell scored 18 points and Alex Caruso dished out 6 assists and 7 rebounds. Chet Holmgren scored 10. Williams went 3-of-8 from the field with 8 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, leaving the game.
Darius Garland scored 16 points and dished out 11 assists for Los Angeles, Kris Dunn scored 15 and dished out 6 assists and Brook Lopez scored 15 off the bench. Seven Clippers scored in double digits to a losing effort, while Derrick Jones Jr., Kobe Sanders, Isaiah Jackson and Keaton Wagler all had double-digit points for Oklahoma City.
Williams wasn't the only Thunder player to leave Sunday's game. Cason Wallace left the first quarter with a shoulder injury while Jaylin Williams left the second quarter with a wrist injury. All three players – Jalen Williams, Wallace and Jaylin Williams – will be discussed at Monday's team meeting ahead of Oklahoma City's doubleheader against the Phoenix Suns at 7 p.m. CT.
It comes on top of injuries that have plagued Williams this past season. He played just 33 games last season, battling wrist and hamstring problems, including a hamstring injury that cost him most of the playoffs and the NBA Finals. Since the Thunder's title run, a healthy Williams was expected to be a full-time co-star with Gilgeous-Alexander this season and any extended absence will be a huge dent in Oklahoma City's depth and ceiling, no matter how it begins the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder — 108
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 34 | 6 | 5 | 13-26 |
| Ajay Mitchell | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8-14 |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | 12 | 12 | – | – |
| Alex Caruso | 12 | 7 | 6 | 4-7 |
| Chet Holmgren | 10 | 4 | – | – |
| Jalen Williams | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3-8 |
Los Angeles Clippers — 101
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Darius Garland | 16 | – | 11 |
| Brook Lopez | 15 | – | – |
| Kris Dunn | 15 | – | 6 |
| Kobe Sanders | 12 | 4 | – |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 11 | 6 | – |
| Keaton Wagler | 11 | 5 | – |
| Isaiah Jackson | 10 | 6 | – |
Box scores for both rotations of the complete rebound and assist numbers as well as full rotation shooting-split numbers were not available in recap coverage at the time of this writing and should be verified using the official NBA box score before publication.
It's a difficult task for Oklahoma City, a short-handed rotation which could be without Williams, Wallace and Jaylin Williams if Monday's update is true, to turn things around for a back-to-back on Monday at 7 p.m. CT against Phoenix. Los Angeles, who've lost their fourth of five games, are on the road with a desire for consistency.
A serious injury to the No. 2 scorer for a team is the type of news that can accelerate the futures and next game lines for a title contender and Oklahoma City's potential to reach the playoffs again may change significantly depending on the severity of Williams' injury. Until the Thunder have confirmed a diagnosis, consider any line change on the next few games to be a response to uncertainty. Before betting on the Oklahoma City back-to-back, make sure to look at the latest numbers on Check Sports OKBet's live odds for the NBA.
An injury report such as this may cause bettors to either overvalue or undervalue a player in their reaction to the news, whether they are coming off a losing streak or going into a line. Be patient and wait until you have confirmed information, never gamble more than you have decided on and always stick to your budget. If you need a deposit limit or self-exclusion tool, PAGCOR's responsible gaming resources will be there for you.
Oklahoma City took a 108-101 lead into Paycom Center on Sunday night with a playoff berth secured, but it would be a pivotal moment for Paycom when Jalen Williams was stretchered off to a standing ovation at the end of the fourth quarter. The Thunder had to overcome an injury-stricken season, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not disappoint with his 34-point night, 23 of which came following the injury, as the reaction came in from around the NBA. Now Oklahoma City awaits a report on Monday for Williams and Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams as they prepare for a challenging back-to-back trek to Phoenix.
Williams was hurt when he was under center in the fourth quarter of a game against the Clippers on Oct. 25 in Oklahoma City. He jumped at defender Kris Dunn and hit him in the air, striking him on his left leg which caused him to fall hard to the ground and get stretchered out of the court.
The Thunder have not made an official diagnosis as of this writing. Head coach Mark Daigneault said he'll have additional information at Monday's team meeting.
Yes. After Williams left the game, Oklahoma City surged to a 108-101 victory with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming up with 23 of his 34 points in the second half.
On October 25, 2026, Oklahoma City defeated Oklahoma, 108-101, at Paycom Center.
Oklahoma City returns to the court for a back-to-back with the Phoenix Suns on Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m. CT.
