Thunder Hit With Another Setback as Jalen Williams Faces Weeks on Sideline

The Oklahoma City Thunder will once again be without one of their most important pieces, with Jalen Williams sidelined for at least a couple of weeks due to a right hamstring strain.

The franchise confirmed the update on Monday after initially listing Williams as questionable with right thigh soreness following Saturdays loss to the Miami Heat.

Williams exited that game in the second quarter and was seen grabbing his right hamstring as he limped off the floor, a moment that immediately raised concern given his recent injury history.

Jalen Williams is headed to the locker room after grabbing at his hamstring pic.twitter.com/OdBJL04iPT

Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 18, 2026

The team later clarified that the injury was indeed a hamstring issue, putting his return timeline into early February if the recovery progresses as expected.

In that scenario, Williams would miss roughly seven games, which included Monday nights dominant 136-104 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed the situation with empathy, acknowledging how frustrating the timing is for a player who had already worked his way back from surgery earlier in the season.

I always feel bad for guys, Daigneault saidvia The Oklahomans Justin Martinez.This is their life, and they put so much work into it. In his case, he put so much work into getting back to the court. It sucks, but youve got to play the ball where it is. Thats what hes going to do. Hes going to put one foot in front of the other and attack the return to play, as hes always done.