Thunder’s Jalen Williams Taken Off On A Stretcher

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams left Monday night’s game on a stretcher in their 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Williams suffered a significant lower left leg injury, and he had to sit on the stretcher to leave the floor. The injury’s severity was unknown after the game, but head coach Mark Daigneault didn’t seem optimistic in his post-game press conference.

Williams looked down at his leg after the injury in disgust and shock, covering his mouth as his left foot was turned to an unusual degree. The injury happened as the game neared its end, with just 1:14 left when he fell awkwardly. The rest of the players on the floor couldn’t bear to look at Williams’ left leg.

The feeling after the game was one of sympathy from his teammates. Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he felt bad for Williams, but also said they knew he’d be “back better than ever.”

The Thunder are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, but there is significant concern that Williams’s gruesome injury is a season-ender and will affect their chances going forward. The San Antonio Spurs are now the favorites to win and defend their Western Conference Championship after the injury.

Daigneault mentioned the impact on his team. “That’s tough on the guys… so yeah, not doing great,” the coach said. “I know they’ll be hungry to know how he’s doing and stuff like that… But, at this point, you’ve just got to allow yourself to feel the way you do.”

The official diagnosis on the injury is still to come. Daigneault said that the team would be briefed Monday.

The Thunder play the back end of a back-to-back Monday at home against the Phoenix Suns.

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Article by Robert Blute