After missing the start of the 2025-26 season due to offseason wrist surgery, star wing Jalen Williams is finally poised to return to action. The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Williams has been removed from the injury report and will make his season debut Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.

Williams underwent surgery this summer to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist – an injury he played through during the Thunder’s championship run. Just recently, he had a follow-up procedure to remove an irritation-causing screw, causing a brief delay. With that cleared, medical staff now believe he’s ready to log minutes again.

ANALYSIS: What this means for OKC is that Williams was one of their most dependable players last season – he averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game before the injury.

His comeback gives the Thunder renewed offensive firepower and defensive versatility, strengthening a roster already off to a dominant start. With Oklahoma City holding one of the best records early this season, the timing couldn’t be better and they could unlock another gear with him on the board.

While his delayed return means he will likely miss the threshold for postseason-award eligibility this year, the long-term upside remains significant given his age and role in the franchise.

However, questions will be raised significantly on how quickly will Williams integrate back into the rotation – and will he be able to regain his pre-injury rhythm and effectiveness. Will the Thunder adjust his minutes initially to ease him back in, or ride his competitive drive from game one? With OKC already rolling, can Williams help sustain their momentum deeper into the season, especially come playoff time?

The return of Jalen Williams marks a major boost for the defending champs – and with his mix of scoring, playmaking and defense, Oklahoma City may be even more dangerous than they were last season.