The Oklahoma City Thunder confirmed Jalen Williams will need to undergo surgery for a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula after his gruesome injury on Sunday night, but another starter will be out for a significant time as well.
Before Williams needed to be stretchered off the court after an injury that left him and everyone else stunned, guard Cason Wallace suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Thunder GM Sam Presti announced on Monday that Wallace will also need surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder as well as Williams’ diagnosis.
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Williams’ injury in the fourth quarter was a freakish one, as he elevated near the hoop with Los Angeles Clippers defenders around him to attempt a shot. He landed in a very awkward position and fell on his left foot and ankle underneath him.
Williams’ reaction said it all, as his foot was not in the correct position.
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As Williams put his head in his hands out of pure disbelief, his Thunder teammates couldn’t believe what they saw as well. Trainers quickly made a circle around him and assessed the situation following the brutal injury.
Williams was placed on a stretcher and wheeled off the court, where the Thunder faithful were chanting his name. He delivered a thumbs-up to the crowd to acknowledge their support, but everyone including Williams knows this injury isn’t going to be something he comes back from anytime soon.
Now, the Thunder will have to worry about what play could be like without Williams, whom they hoped would get back to his All-Star form after an injury-riddled season last year, and Wallace, who stepped into the starting lineup this season, for the rest of the season.
Last season, Williams missed 49 regular-season games and much of the postseason after dealing with a right wrist injury that required surgery and nagging hamstring ailments in both legs.
Wallace, who signed a five-year extension worth $139 million before the year began, most certainly didn’t want to begin this season with an injury after just a few games.
Oklahoma City will have to lean on its depth, which is one of the best benches in the NBA. Jared McCain and Alex Caruso, who usually play key roles in reserve, are likely to be thrusted into the starting five moving forward.
We’ll have a look at what the Thunder plan to do on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.
