After the best season in franchise history, and one of the most successful team seasons in NBA history, the Oklahoma City Thunder have picked up right where they left off last year.
With a 17-1 record, the Thunder are tied for the second-best start in league history, and they’ve done it all without number two star Jalen Williams.
Williams underwent offseason surgery for a wrist injury and has yet to make his season debut. But after already missing 18 games so far this year, the star is now set to miss out on millions, as he’s now ineligible for end-of-season awards, and specifically, the All-NBA team.
“Jalen Williams has now missed 18 games and is ineligible for postseason honors,” ESPN insider Bobby Marks wrote in a post on X. “Williams signed a five-year $241 million rookie extension with Oklahoma City in the offseason. The extension would have increased between $250-$289 million if Williams was named All-NBA this season.”
Last season, Williams averaged a career-high 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 48.4% shooting while playing second-fiddle to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Williams’ Injury Set To Cost Him Millions
Williams made his first All-Star team and was named to the All-NBA third team, while helping lead the Thunder to their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City, but he will now miss out on those awards this year.
The star played with the wrist injury throughout the playoffs, but as seen with his long-term absence to begin the year, the injury appears to be serious. As Marks mentioned, his $241 million deal could have increased to as much as $289 million, but that will no longer be the case, as, at a minimum, he won’t play the necessary amount of games to earn any end-of-season awards.
Newly put into place, the NBA doesn’t allow anyone who plays less than 70% of regular-season games to be considered for any statistical rankings, season awards, or All-NBA honors. Williams had previously only missed 32 games across his first three seasons, but has now already missed more games than he has in any of his previous seasons.
Other NBA stars have similar incentives in their contracts, like LeBron James, who could also miss out on end-of-season awards. Despite that, Williams’ absence hasn’t mattered much for the Thunder, who are having the second-best start to a regular season in NBA history.
It was recently reported that after having the screws taken out from his offseason surgery, Williams was expected to be reevaluated in mid-November. However, the star still doesn’t have a direct timeline for a return, and could miss more time.
Thunder 17-1 Start
Through 18 games, the Thunder have only one loss, coming to the upstart but controversy-riddled Portland Trail Blazers. However, they got revenge back on Sunday night, as they beat the young team that served them their only loss in the first month of the year.
Regardless, the Thunder are still tied for the second-best start through 18 games in NBA history, tied with the 1996 Chicago Bulls, 2002 Dallas Mavericks, and last season’s Cleveland Cavaliers, ranking only behind the legendary 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. But, like that Warriors team that went 73-9, OKC now has the second-best record ever for a defending champion.
Numbers-wise, it’s the same dominant story for the Thunder. They currently rank first in net rating, first in defensive rating, and fourth in offensive rating. Despite not having their second-best scorer and one of their top wing defenders from last season, they remain the only one-loss team in the NBA after over a month of play.
Chet Holmgren All-Star?
Williams’ absence has allowed for other Oklahoma City players to set up in his place. While Gilgeous-Alexander continues his run as one of the best guards in recent memory, it’s been Chet Holmgren setting up without the number two star.
So far this season, in what has been his first without any major injury concerns, Holmgren is averaging 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 56.2% shooting. According to a recent article by Bleacher Report, the big man could be on his way to his first All-Star appearance.
“With Jalen Williams out of the lineup to start the year, the 7’1″ center has stepped into the role of the second option,” Mo Dahkil wrote. “Right off the bat, it has been Holmgren’s aggression sparking the leap. He is doing more than picking his spots; he’s actively seeking opportunities to get the ball and score.”
The star has missed a few games already this year, but remains one of the most important keys to the Thunder’s success, specifically on defense. Like Williams, Holmgren himself is on a new five-year, $250 million deal. While his teammate might not be eligible for All-NBA, Holmgren is making a solid case to earn the honor, while his team continues its historic start to the season.
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