Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams disclosed his challenging experience managing a wrist injury during the recent NBA playoffs. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Williams revealed that he received nearly 30 painkilling injections in his right wrist to help his team during their successful championship run.
Williams battled a sprained right wrist for much of the season. The situation escalated on April 9, 2023, when he felt the scapholunate ligament in his wrist tear while competing for a loose ball against Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Following this injury, he described the pain as if his hand was “on fire.” Despite the discomfort, he played a crucial role in the Thunder’s journey, which included winning four series to clinch the NBA title.
Managing Pain Through Innovative Techniques
Over the course of the playoffs, the Thunder’s training staff implemented various taping techniques to stabilize Williams’ wrist, often concealed beneath an arm sleeve. He received lidocaine injections before each game and several times during practices, alongside multiple cortisone shots. The sheer number of injections left him with a callous at the site, reflecting the extent of his commitment to the team.
“I got 28 or 29 shots in my hand throughout the playoffs,” Williams stated in his video. “And I was like, ‘That can’t be for nothing. We have to win.’ So, that was my mentality.” He drew inspiration from the late Kobe Bryant, known for his resilience in playing through injuries, which motivated Williams to push through his pain.
Despite the injury, Williams had to adjust his shooting technique. He focused on keeping the ball more on his fingertips to reduce reliance on his wrist. This change impacted his performance, particularly during the second round against the Denver Nuggets, where he shot only 38% overall and 23% from three-point range.
Overcoming Criticism and Delivering Key Performances
After facing criticism for his performance in previous playoffs, Williams found it challenging to remain silent about his injury. “I didn’t want to tell the world that I was hurt,” he explained, “but that was the most annoying thing, because human nature is you want to just scream that you’re hurt.” Despite the difficulties, he persevered and avoided using his injury as an excuse.
His determination paid off with several standout performances during the championship series. Notably, he scored 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, which helped the Thunder secure a crucial 3-2 lead. He also tallied 34 points in a pivotal Game 4 against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals.
Following the championship victory, Thunder president Sam Presti commended Williams for his mental resilience. “He powered through. He showed incredible mental endurance and security in himself,” Presti noted. “I really thought it was pretty impressive that he just kept moving along with no excuses and obviously played his best basketball down the stretch of the season.”
Williams underwent surgery to address his wrist injury last week, but he remains optimistic as he prepares for the upcoming season. “We won a championship, you can say whatever you want to say now,” he concluded, “I will be getting my ring sized here shortly.”
