NBA Notes: Thunder, Jalen Williams, Bulls, Billy Donovan, Lakers

Thunder

Mark Daigneault gave an update on Jalen Williams before Wednesday’s game and said the All-NBA wing continues to make steady progress, per Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman.

Williams is recovering from thumb surgery and still does not have a timetable, but Daigneault praised his attitude and his daily work.

“Day to day, and he’s doing a great job,” Daigneault said.

He added that there is a lot of “invisible work” that goes into a return, the kind of rehab teammates and coaches rarely even see.

Williams has been out all season and is already ineligible for postseason awards because he has missed too many games.

Oklahoma City has barely missed a beat without him, carrying a league best 17-1 record into Wednesday’s matchup with Minnesota.

Daigneault arrived at the gym Wednesday morning and found Williams already deep into therapy work.

He said that kind of commitment matters. He also pointed to Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topic and Chet Holmgren as players who have handled long rehab stretches the right way.

Bulls

The Bulls have eight players who could become free agents next summer, and Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that this season may shape the next phase of the franchise.

Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry are all on expiring deals. The team also holds a modest option on Julian Phillips.

Coach Billy Donovan said he has emphasized a simple message since camp. Help each other.

“Their futures and careers are in each other’s hands,” Donovan said.

He noted that younger players often think they have forever. Veterans like Vucevic know better and have a different urgency.

That urgency showed this weekend when Vucevic said the Bulls were “very soft” for most of their one-point win over Washington.

He and his family like living in Chicago and Cowley noted that the front office could have interest in retaining him if the season goes well.

Executive VP Arturas Karnisovas has historically shown loyalty to Donovan and to much of the roster.

Several players could get multiyear deals if Chicago exceeds expectations.

Lakers

Luka Doncic had a massive night Tuesday with 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds as the Lakers clinched a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

But he had other things on his mind after the game.

He said the special tournament court at Crypto.com Arena was slippery and unsafe, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“It’s dangerous,” Doncic said. “I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped.”

He said he did not have issues with courts in Memphis or New Orleans earlier in group play. He even asked for an extra sweep before the game, but it did not help.

The Lakers are aware of his concerns and are hoping to improve the surface before Friday’s tournament game against Dallas.