Jaylen Williams reveals ‘frustrating’ process since wrist surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams led the way with 21 points in a 117-116 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring a season-high 26 points in his 20th game since undergoing two surgeries to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist. Williams has preached patience since his season debut; that’s the theme of the 2025-26 season for the All-NBA forward as he gets to grips with his new normal.

Williams expressed frustration that comes with such a lingering setback at the Thunder’s practice Saturday.

“It’s awful — it’s a very tedious process,” Williams said. “Nobody’s going to be more frustrated than me when the shots are short, when they’re not, but it’s just one of those things that I’ve learned over the course of the game. And it’s not like I’m on a bad team, where I come in and take 40 shots, and I take it that way. Again, this injury is not something you can get and have good hands.

It’s something within a year or a year and a half, and having the summer to really figure it out, where it’s really going to be back to normal. It’s just one of those things that you just figure out in the game, and I’ll be able to be effective in other ways and not focus on that. That’s my biggest thing; “There are so many other things I can do to impact the game other than score and play defense,” Williams concluded.

Aside from a slight dip in scoring, Williams’ averages matched his All-Star numbers last season, averaging 17.6 points on 46.2% shooting, 5.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

Jaylen Williams preaches patience with wrist injury

Thunder All Star Jalen Williams knows he has a long way to go before he feels like his old self again. Maybe that’s why Williams journalists warned that the end of his recovery is not near despite making his season debut after a 19-game absence.

“It’s going to take some time,” Williams said. “I haven’t played in forever, and there’s been a lot behind the scenes, as far as what’s actually been going on with my hand and the two hand surgeries, like, I’m still trying to work through, like, my jump and dribbling, and, like, trying to get my touch back, and it’s just something that needs to progress throughout the season.”

Williams and the Thunder will host the Heat on Sunday.