Story by
Chet Holmgren offers unique perspective on Thunder Jalen Williams’ return from injury
- Story by
- Chet Holmgren offers unique perspective on Thunder Jalen Williams’ return from injury
Chet Holmgren offers unique perspective on Thunder Jalen Williams' return from injury appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren is familiar with injury setbacks, such as the kind of season Jalen Williams has had, following wrist surgery and two right hamstring injuries that derailed Williams' 2025-26 regular season . Six games into his return, Jalen is looking closer to the All-NBA forward who helped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead the Thunder to a championship.
Advertisement
Holmgren, who forfeited his rookie campaign due to a leg injury before suffering a pelvic injury that sidelined him for most of last season, embraced Williams' bounce back, reminding reporters of the hurdles that come with making a full recovery.
"The thing that most people don't see is the way injuries impact daily life. I think a lot of people think when a player's injured, they're just out shopping somewhere, enjoying life, just kicking their feet up, but that's really not the case," Holmgren said. "A lot of times with injuries, it really hampers just going through your daily routine. I wasn't there for Dub's surgery, but I'm sure he didn't enjoy it.
"Then, having to go all summer and figure out how to work, and improve on how to work, and improve his shooting hand. One, it takes determination. Two, it takes some creativity. Then, to have a back-to-back hamstring thing is extremely frustrating. There's a lot of emotion involved. But I think he's handled it just about as good as anybody could."
Williams has averaged 17.0 points on 48.2% shooting, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32 games this season. He combined for 15 assists in the Thunder's last two consecutive victories, as Chet Holmgren has felt the difference in Jalen's return.
Advertisement
"Always having his foot on the gas with urgency on how he can get better, but also being smart about it, listening to the great medical staff that we have," Holmgren added. "I'm sure he looks at it the same way I do, where it's a hurdle. It's not like a brick wall in your way that you can't get through."
Jalen Williams will rest for the first leg of the Thunder's back-to-back, starting with a matchup against the Lakers , followed by the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Mark Daigneault on Thunder's momentum ahead of playoffs
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Thunder head coach Mark Daingeault stressed the importance of finishing the regular season on a high note, ahead of a second consecutive run at the title.
Advertisement
"It's like a bell curve. You have great games. You have some bad ones. Then, you have a bunch in the middle. What dictates how good you are in the middle of that bell curve is your habits. So, that what we tend to focus on."
As the defending champion, the Thunder will look to repeat in this year's Finals, with momentum on its side, as Daigneault mentioned.
Related: Is Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really 'Jordan-esque?' LeBron James weighs in
Related: Is Jalen Williams playing tonight? Thunder vs. Lakers injury report
