Is Jalen Williams playing today? Injury update for OKC Thunder starMark Giannotto, USA TODAYFri, November 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM UTC·2 min readThe Oklahoma City Thunder are off to the best start in the NBA again and the defending champions are about to get their second-leading scorer.
Jalen Williams, who emerged as a vital sidekick beside league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the Thunder’s rise to the top of the standings, has yet to play this season ahead of Oklahoma City's 20th game on the schedule against the Phoenix Suns in NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 28. But that appears to be changing soon after the team upgraded the status of their second-leading scorer earlier this week.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's the latest on Williams' potential 2025-26 season debut, as well as an injury update now that the Oklahoma City Thunder are preparing to welcome him back to the lineup:
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.2 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.3 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
4 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.5 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.6 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.7 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.8 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.NBA MOCK DRAFT: Where Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer land
Is Jalen Williams playing today?
Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is set to make his 2025-26 season debut against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA Cup game on Friday, Nov. 28.
Jalen Williams injury update
The Thunder removed Williams from their injury report for the first time this season before Friday's game against the Suns, an indication the 24-year-old has been given full clearance to return to NBA action.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWilliams underwent offseason surgery on his right wrist after playing through a torn ligament during last year's championship run. He then had an additional procedure on Oct. 31 to remove a screw that had been causing irritation during the final portions of his rehab process. Thunder officials said at the time he would be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days.
Thunder coach Mark Daignault told reporters on Wednesday Williams was "day-to-day" and praised his work ethic in getting back onto the court.
Jalen Williams contract
Williams signed a 5-year, $239-million contract extension with the Thunder in June and it begins next season. But the deal can't be upgraded to a supermax contract because Williams already missed too many games to earn all-NBA honors this season. Williams' deal could have increased to as much as $287 million.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJalen Williams stats
Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game during the 2024-25 regular season last year. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the 2025 NBA playoffs. Williams also earned all-NBA and all-defense honors for the first time last season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Williams injury update: Thunder star set for NBA season debut
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