Jalen Williams is CLOSER to KD than most think…
The Oklahoma City Thunder spent the first month of the season doing something that should not be possible: playing at a historic level while missing one of the most complete players in basketball. Jalen Williams, an All-NBA and All-Defense selection last season, sat out the opening 19 games while recovering from wrist surgery, an injury he played through during the Thunder’s 2025 championship run.
In his absence, OKC didn’t just survive. They dominated. An 18–1 start, the best point differential through 19 games in NBA history at +16.5, and an offense and defense that have looked frighteningly synchronized. But the real story begins now, because the Thunder are finally whole again. Jalen Williams’ return isn’t just the reintroduction of an All-Star talent, it’s the restoration of one of the league’s most dangerous two-way combinations.
Why Jalen Williams Matters More Than the Numbers
Williams’ statistical breakout last season cemented him as one of the NBA’s premier young stars:
- 21.6 PPG
- 5.3 RPG
- 5.1 APG
- 1.6 SPG
- All-NBA & All-Defense
- One of only four players with 1,400 points, 300 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals (alongside Jokic, Harden, and teammate SGA)
But what makes him uniquely valuable to OKC goes far beyond box scores.
Williams is a defensive genius. Per GeniusIQ, he led the NBA in points per direct isolation allowed and ranked top-five in points per direct drive allowed. His footwork, hand discipline, and ability to switch from guards to bigs allow OKC to stay versatile, aggressive, and unpredictable. When he’s on the floor, OKC’s defensive identity becomes sharper, calmer, and tougher.
Offensively, Williams’ impact is just as profound. He is a connector, both literally within the offense and symbolically within the roster. He blends playmaking with scoring, spacing with cutting, and patience with explosiveness. His ability to work both on-ball and off-ball allows Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to operate at peak efficiency, creating a dynamic backcourt that forces defenses into impossible decisions.
Last postseason, the duo combined for 1,180 points, the fourth-most by any playoff duo in NBA history. When the stakes rose, they delivered like seasoned champions.
How OKC Thrived Without Him
The Thunder’s success without Williams speaks to the organizational depth and belief Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault have built. Ajay Mitchell, the second-year guard, proved he’s far more than a rotation piece. His averages, 15.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals kept OKC’s guard play dynamic and disruptive, especially in fast-paced units.
Isaiah Joe, meanwhile, has taken another leap. His 13.2 PPG on 40.2% from three across more than seven attempts per game has reshaped OKC’s spacing. Joe’s gravity forces defenders to pick their poison: stay glued to him or help onto Shai, both disastrous choices.
Chet Holmgren, now firmly established as one of the best two-way bigs in the league, has also benefitted. Without Williams, he assumed more offensive creation, more defensive responsibility, and more leadership. The Thunder survived Williams’ absence because every young player stepped forward, not back.
But even with this impressive depth, OKC has been operating without the player who bridges every gap. Williams is the final piece that transforms an elite team into a terrifying one.
What Williams Changes Immediately
His return shifts the Thunder from “historic regular-season machine” to “overwhelming championship favorite.”
The Offense Rebalances:
Shai no longer carries every creative burden. Williams’ playmaking adds layers to OKC’s tempo, their halfcourt reads, and their late-game reliability.
The Defense Becomes Fully Switchable:
OKC already has length, speed, and discipline, but Jalen Williams is their most versatile defender. The entire system tightens around him.
Lineups Return to Optimal Form:
Role players who were overextended can now thrive in more natural roles. This makes the Thunder not just deeper, but cleaner in style.
Championship Continuity Returns:
The Thunder played last postseason without Chet Holmgren for three months, then reintegrated him patiently in February. That experience taught OKC how to harmonize on the fly. Jalen Williams will benefit from the same understanding.
What Lies Ahead
Jalen Williams’ return comes with complications. Because he missed the league’s new 65-game threshold, he is ineligible for All-NBA and thus cannot trigger the $287M supermax kicker attached to his $239M extension. It’s a frustrating outcome for a player who earned those accolades on merit, but it doesn’t seem to have shifted his mindset or the franchise’s faith in him.
With Jalen Williams back, OKC steps into the heart of their season with the most balanced young core in recent memory:
- An MVP-level superstar in Shai
- A two-way engine in Jalen Williams
- A transformative defensive anchor in Chet
- Elite shooting and cutting everywhere
- A bench that can play multiple styles
- A coach who has mastered lineup fluidity
The Thunder are no longer just a great story. They are a dynasty in the making, built not on names but on development, discipline, and an identity stronger than any one piece.
And now, that piece is back.
