“Jalen Williams JUST had the BEST season of his career.”
The 2025–26 NBA season hasn’t even tipped off yet, and already, several teams are being tested by the one thing every contender fears: injuries. From the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to the rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies, health is shaping the headlines before the first bucket drops.
Thunder’s Depth Faces an Early Test
The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to open their title defense against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday (7:30 ET, NBC & Peacock). But they’ll do it without one of their cornerstones — All-Star swingman Jalen Williams, who underwent offseason wrist surgery and has officially been ruled out for the start of the season. Jalen Williams is the 2nd best player on the Thunder.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Jalen Williams “is not expected to miss an extended stretch,” which comes as a relief to Thunder fans. Still, the absence of the 24-year-old is significant. Williams was electric last season, earning his first All-Star selection, a spot on the Kia All-NBA Third Team, and a Kia NBA All-Defensive Second Team nod — all while averaging career-highs of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Oklahoma City’s depth was their calling card during their title run — and it’ll be tested immediately. Expect Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe to absorb more wing minutes alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort will shoulder more of the two-way load.
Coach Mark Daigneault’s system thrives on versatility, but losing Jalen Williams, a secondary playmaker and elite perimeter defender, could challenge the Thunder early — especially against a revamped Rockets team hungry to prove they belong in the playoff picture.
Jalen Williams injury will leave a void in the Thunder for 1 week, but with Jalen Williams out, how will this affect Jalen Williams case for another All-Star?
Memphis: Injuries Piling Up Again
The Memphis Grizzlies, once one of the league’s toughest defensive teams, can’t seem to catch a break. The team announced Monday that newly signed guard Ty Jerome will miss at least four weeks after suffering a high-grade right calf strain.
Jerome, the 24th overall pick in the 2019 draft, joined Memphis this offseason looking for a fresh start after stints with Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Cleveland. The Grizzlies say he’ll be re-evaluated in a month — but he’s not their only concern.
Memphis is already without several key players:
- Zach Edey, the 7’4″ rookie center, is still recovering from ankle surgery.
- Scotty Pippen Jr. will miss time following a procedure on his left big toe.
- Brandon Clarke continues to recover from knee surgery.
That’s four rotation players sidelined before the opener — a tough blow for coach Taylor Jenkins, who’s trying to re-establish the “Grit and Grind” identity after two injury-plagued seasons.
The Grizzlies open their season Wednesday night against New Orleans, a team stacked with size and speed. For Memphis, it’s another test of patience and resilience — two words that have defined their last two seasons.
If there’s one silver lining, it’s that this gives young players like GG Jackson and Jake LaRavia an opportunity to prove themselves early. But for a team that missed the playoffs last season, another injury wave before Game 1 is the last thing they needed.
Around the League: Health as the Hidden Factor
As much as star power dominates NBA headlines, it’s health that often determines who lasts into June. Oklahoma City and Memphis aren’t alone — multiple teams are entering Opening Week cautiously monitoring players returning from offseason procedures or minor injuries.
The early weeks of an NBA season are about rhythm, chemistry, and experimentation. For the Thunder, it’s about proving their system can sustain without one of their best creators. For Memphis, it’s about simply surviving the injury bug and hoping for a full-strength roster by midseason.
The difference? One is defending a title — the other is fighting to stay relevant.
For both, the road to 2026 starts with one common challenge: keeping bodies healthy.
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