It’s finally happening — Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams is officially back in action. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, the 24-year-old forward is set to make his long-awaited season debut Friday night as the Thunder host the Phoenix Suns. Fans have been eager to see him return, and his comeback could shake things up for an already dominant OKC squad. But here’s where it gets interesting: despite his return, Williams won’t be eligible for postseason awards this year — and that’s sparking debate among fans.
Williams has had quite the journey since injuring his wrist late in the 2024–25 regular season. The injury didn’t keep him off the court immediately; he battled through 23 playoff games, pushing through pain to help the Thunder capture the NBA championship. But after the season, medical experts determined that surgery was unavoidable. In July, Williams underwent wrist ligament surgery, and just a few months later, in late October, doctors performed a second procedure to remove a screw that had been causing irritation. His resilience through these challenges has impressed both teammates and fans.
Before his injury, Williams was enjoying a breakout campaign that solidified his place among the NBA’s rising stars. He earned his first All-Star selection, was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and secured a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. Over 69 games, he posted career-high averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He was also a defensive force, racking up 124 three-pointers, 111 steals, and 46 blocks — all personal bests. Those numbers put him among the league’s elite two-way players.
However, due to the NBA’s new 65-game minimum for award eligibility, Williams’ 19-game absence means he’s already out of the running for postseason honors this year — a tough blow for someone who was likely bound for more accolades. Some argue that returning players should be evaluated differently, especially if their absence was due to surgery, while others believe rules are rules. What do you think — should exceptions ever be made for circumstances like these?
Meanwhile, the Thunder haven’t missed a beat without him. The team has stormed out to a 10-game winning streak and looks every bit the contender that won it all last season. Oklahoma City opened with eight straight victories and nearly kept their unbeaten run alive before falling 121–119 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 5, despite once leading by 22 points. With Williams stepping back into the mix, it’s fair to wonder: can the Thunder get even better?
One thing’s certain — all eyes will be on Oklahoma City this Friday night. Jalen Williams is back, healthy, and ready to remind the league why he was one of last season’s biggest breakout stars. But is his return the missing piece that makes the Thunder unstoppable, or could readjusting to his presence briefly shake team chemistry? Drop your thoughts below — should OKC ease him in or hand him the keys right away?