How Jalen Williams has kept positive mindset despite latest hamstring strain

Parking himself at the end of the bench, Jalen Williams has unfortunately grown accustomed to that spot. After helping bring home a Larry O'Brien trophy, the All-NBA talent has stomached an injury-riddled season filled with two wrist surgeries and three hamstring strains.

This latest injury has now affected the NBA playoffs. Williams sustained a hamstring strain in OKC's Game 2 win over the Phoenix Suns . He remains week-to-week. Depending on when Round 2 starts, he could miss additional time beyond just the last two games the Thunder played in their Round 1 sweep.

Given every reason to act like Eeyore, Williams has taken a glass-half-full approach every time he returned from a setback. Expect that to stick when he eventually rejoins the Thunder in their NBA playoff journey. This is the first time in four years of postseason basketball that OKC has dealt with a notable absence like this.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has discovered a winning formula without Williams. Forced to be without him in 49 of OKC's 82 regular-season games, they've found a new identity to play at a high level on both ends of the floor. Ajay Mitchell has stepped up as their second go-to scorer. The defense remains indestructible — albeit with fewer turnovers forced.

"I think his personality, he has such a dynamic personality that it can overshadow the fact that he’s a ruthless competitor. He’s a great competitor. There’s never a game that he’s not competing," Daigneault said. "He plays with a motor every single night. He’s a seven o’clock player. When it’s seven, he’s ready to go. And when he’s out, it obviously hurts. But I think that’s probably hard for him to turn off, and it helps the team."

You can't really sugarcoat Williams' absence. Sure, the Thunder have been a rare exception in being able to survive without an All-NBA talent. But surviving isn't thriving. Don't let a Round 1 sweep fool you — they still need the 25-year-old if they want to reach their destination. Especially with the competition level multiplying in each NBA playoff series.

Another guy who's dealt with injuries this year, Isaiah Hartenstein talked about what Williams brings to the table — even in street clothes instead of a uniform. His lineup minutes with Chet Holmgren have helped OKC's second-unit offense remain steady despite his absence.

"Having him around is always amazing. He’s got a great personality, and I think he’s at the stage now where it kind of looks a little different from the first time being out," Hartenstein said. "He sees the game, too. So it’s not like he’s just sitting on the bench, just having fun and putting on a fit. He’s actually really engaged with the game and telling us what he sees. He’s been great."

Remains to be seen how much time Williams misses. But a Grade 1 hamstring strain makes it feel like it won't be a long-term thing. The Thunder took care of business against the Suns without him. And could probably do the same in Round 2 against either the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets . But beyond that, though, OKC will need him sooner rather than later.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: How Jalen Williams has kept positive mindset despite latest hamstring strain