Thunder Injury Report: Will Jalen Williams Play Tonight vs Pacers? Latest on OKC Star’s Availability Amid Breakout Season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off against the Indiana Pacers within the next few hours. It will be the first time the young and rising teams will compete against each other since the season started. The Thunder recently came off a decisive 31-point win against the Grizzles and established their place as the top seed on the Western Conference Points table. Unfortunately, the win came at an expense, as the team’s shooting guard Jalen Williams ended up with injuries to his right ankle during the game and was ruled out for the rest of its duration. Since then, fans have wanted to know whether the player will be available during the next matchup.

A social media post by OKC’s credentialed media member Rylan Stiles recently provided an update. Highlighting details from the released injury report, Stiles stated that Jalen Williams has been listed as ‘questionable’. It also revealed that Ousmane Dieng, Adam Flagler, and Olivier Sarr have been ruled ‘out’ of the game.

Before the report’s release, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had given no official update on the player’s condition. By being placed in the ‘questionable’ category, fans can raise the assumption that Willams is not that serious and that there is a high probability that he will be available to take on the Pacers. The 22-year-old’s presence will be a welcome sight since he is reportedly the second-highest scorer for the team this season, right behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While his prior injuries had forced him to miss out on six games, Willaims’ consistency has made him a prominent part of the playing roster, bringing Oklahoma to a new stage this season.

Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have delivered a breakout season for OKC

Former NBA coach Phil Jackson once reportedly stated that any team can be considered ‘elite’ if they can win 40 games in a season before losing 20. As of now, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won 45 games and lost only 19, thereby establishing himself as a legitimate contender for the championship ring. This recent surge in their performance can be credited to the dynamic duo of Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Since the start of the season, both players have averaged a combined score of 40.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 10.9 assists. During the recent matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, Alexander posted his 46th 30-point performance, while Williams added 30 points to the team’s overall score. The duo has proven from time to time that when they come together, the Thunder’s offensive play is something to watch out for. With the team looking to maintain its momentum as the playoffs come closer, both youngsters must be present for all the games moving forward.

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