SGA fights back tears during interview after Jalen Williams’ gruesome injury

SGA fights back tears during interview after Jalen Williams' gruesome injury

Thunder star Jalen Williams was taken off the floor on a stretcher Sunday night after apparently suffering a leg injury with under two minutes remaining in Oklahoma City’s 108-101 win over the Clippers.

The gruesome injury had Williams’s left foot bending unnaturally after he awkwardly landed on it while being fouled. Thunder medical personnel quickly covered Williams’s leg with a towel as he and other players on the court reacted in shock.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams (8) gives a thumbs up to the crowd while being carted off after an injury during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images

The injury had such an impact on star teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that he fought back tears in his postgame interview.

“I don’t even know,” Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked what was going through his mind after the game. “I just feel bad for him. Nothing more than that.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to Nick Gallo after the game against the LA Clippers on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty ImagesShai Gilgeous-Alexander fights back tears after Jalen Williams’ leg injury. NBA

Gilgeous-Alexander continued and said the team will keep fighting without Williams.

“It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that,” he admitted. “But he’s not gone forever. He’ll be back better than ever, and we know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fighting back tears in the post game interview after Jalen Williams' gruesome leg injury https://t.co/3pOYngIWScpic.twitter.com/zEI7byVsxq

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 26, 2026

Williams, 25, has already been named an All-Star and All-NBA player since being drafted 12th overall by the Thunder in 2022. He played a big role in the Thunder’s championship run in 2025, but missed 49 games last season due to multiple injuries, including a hamstring and recovery from right wrist surgery.

The Thunder did not immediately diagnose Williams’s injury, and head coach Mark Daigneault said postgame that the team will be updated on Monday morning.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams suffers an injury to his left leg in the second half of the game. NBA

“We’re not doing great,” Daigneault said.

The Thunder play the second half of a back-to-back on Monday night against the Suns at home.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) lays injured on the floor after getting injured during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect