Jalen Williams injury update: Thunder star exits on stretcher after hurting leg

Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams suffered a lower leg injury and had to be taken off the court on a stretcher during a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Williams' injury occurred after an awkward landing under the basket with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter. The Thunder earned a 108-101 victory over the Clippers.

A team official was seen coming over to place a towel over Williams’ leg as he was quickly attended to by an athletic trainer. The tone immediately changed in the arena as members of both teams began to turn away.

The crowd was heard chanting "JDub" before Williams was carted off the court on a stretcher. He was seen giving two thumbs up to the fans in the arena.

A JDub chant breaks out as Jalen Williams is being helped to the stretcher pic.twitter.com/Ppe3jBgqUM

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 26, 2026

"I just feel bad for him," Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said while fighting tears in his postgame interview. "... We just got to hold the fort down until he comes back."

Gilgeous-Alexander was visibly shaken on the court at the sight of Williams' injury.

Williams went up for a dunk at the 1:15 mark in the fourth quarter and was fouled by Kris Dunn.

Dunn was called for a personal foul that was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after an official review. Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws.

OH NO 💔

Jalen Williams suffers a serious lower-leg injury after an awkward landing.

pic.twitter.com/94x3rJvUn1

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 26, 2026

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked for the status of injured players on Sunday night, including Williams. Daigneault stated that Williams' injury "speaks for itself."

“Those are tough, man," Daigneault said when talking about the feeling in the locker room. "We’re not doing great.”

Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams: “Those are tough, man. We’re not doing great.” pic.twitter.com/3yOwhmNkAz

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 26, 2026

The coach thanked the fans for their support of Williams and chanting his name after the injury.

“I think anybody that's in the arena can empathize with that," Daigneault said. "So appreciate our fans for doing so.”

Daigneault stated that the team will come together on Monday as a team to be there for one another as they continue to process the tough situation.

Minutes: 31:41

Points: 8

FG: 3-for-8

3PT: 0-for-1

FT: 2-for-2

Rebounds: 2

Assists: 5

Steals: 2

Blocks: 1

Turnovers: 3

Fouls: 3

Williams was limited to just 33 regular-season games and five playoff appearances during the 2025-26 season as he recovered from two wrist surgeries and suffered multiple hamstring strains.

Williams has dealt with lower body injuries throughout his career, including ankle injuries in 2024 and hip injuries in early 2025. He also had a previous wrist injury in 2023.

Games: 250

Starts: 237

Minutes: 7,735

Points: 4,497

FG: 1,743-for-3,432 (.508)

3PT: 326-for-871 (.374)

FT: 685-for-848

Rebounds: 1,152

Assists: 1,110

Steals: 334

Blocks: 136

Turnovers: 460

Fouls: 596

Contributing: Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Williams injury update: Thunder star exits on stretcher after hurting leg