Shai-Gilgeous Alexander scored 34 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder remained undefeated but lost All-Star guard Jalen Williams to a serious foot injury in Sunday night’s 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Oklahoma City won its third straight game to start the season, but lost three players to injury, including Williams, who went down hard on a drive to the basket with 1:14 left. The guard’s left leg gave way as he landed and his leg bent at an unnatural angle. The 25-year-old left the court on a stretcher with towels covering his injured leg. Gilgeous covered his mouth with his hands as he looked down at the injury as Alexander and players from both teams appeared to be in shock.
“We’re not doing a great job,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after the game. He added that the team will be updated on the injury on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander teared up when talking about Williams after the game.
“I just feel bad for him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Obviously it’s going to be difficult without a player like that. But he’s not gone forever. He’s going to come back better than ever and we know that. We have to hold on until he comes back.”
Williams missed 49 games last season due to various injuries, but was a key part of the Thunder’s championship campaign in 2025.
Thunder guard Cason Wallace (sore left shoulder) and forward Jaylin Williams (sore right wrist) left the game in the first quarter and did not return.