Jalen Williams might not be ready to return this season, but the Oklahoma City Thunder termed his Thursday surgery a success.
Williams underwent an operation in New York to address a broken left fibula and to reconstruct ligaments in his dislocated and fractured ankle, according to the team.
Per the Thunder, Williams will be re-evaluated before the regular season concludes.
Williams sustained the gruesome injury late in Oklahoma City’s 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. His ankle bent unnaturally as he came down after being fouled while driving to the basket.
Williams was chosen an All-Star and an All-NBA performer in the 2024-25 season. Last season, he was limited to 33 regular-season games and five of the team’s 15 postseason games because of wrist surgery and several hamstring injuries.
Through three games this season, Williams averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
In 251 career NBA games (238 starts) over five seasons, all with the Thunder, Williams has career averages of 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He was a 2022 first-round draft pick, 12th overall, out of Santa Clara.
The Thunder also are dealing with the loss of Cason Wallace, who headed for surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Despite the injuries, Oklahoma City carried a 4-0 record into its Wednesday night road game against the Dallas Mavericks.
