Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jalen Williams' return set to boost West-leading Thunder

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 3:38 PM ET

Already owners of the NBA's best record, the Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to be even better moving forward. On Monday, the defending champions welcome back one of their top players.

Jalen Williams will is set to play in his first game in over a month when the Thunder meet a banged up Philadelphia 76ers team on the road. So a game Oklahoma City would be favored in regardless now becomes much more interesting with Williams back on the floor.

And while how many minutes Williams plays in his first game since Feb. 12 remains to be seen, his return does signal the West's current top seed getting back to full strength during the stretch run before the playoffs.

Jalen Williams has only played sporadically this season

Williams has been out with a strained right hamstring but also didn't make his season debut until Nov. 28 after playing through a series of wrist injuries as the Thunder were en route to winning the NBA title.

J-DUB IS BACK FOR THE STREAKING THUNDER!

Jalen Williams is set to return from a 16-game absence when the NBA-leading Thunder visit the 76ers tonight at 7pm/et on NBA League Pass. Williams, Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer (17.5 PPG), was an NBA All-Star and Kia All-NBA… pic.twitter.com/57bI4dUbnr
— NBA (@NBA) March 23, 2026

Despite being less than 100% throughout the playoff run over the summer, Williams was still an instrumental part in Oklahoma City beating the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the NBA Finals. He played in 23 playoff games, averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 boards, 4.8 assists and shooting 44.9% from the field.

Jalen Williams' return gives Thunder their second-best player from title team

Up until this point, Williams has only played in 26 games during the 2025-26 season. He's averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists with a shooting clip of 47.9% from the field, though he's shot just 31.3% from three.

Named an All-Star for the first time last season, Williams posted a line with 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 helpers in 2024-25.

Even without Williams, Oklahoma City has won 11-straight games and holds a 56-15 overall record.

The Thunder will now add Williams to a team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been hitting his stride recently and is the favorite to win his second consecutive league MVP award, and sit three games above the rival San Antonio Spurs for the No. 1 position in the West.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads: