During the 2025 NBA Finals, while it was widely known that Indiana Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton was suffering from a serious injury, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams was coping with a severe wrist injury he had initially sustained months earlier. Williams disclosed that he tore the scapula ligament in his right wrist during the Thunder’s 125-112 win against the Phoenix Suns on April 9th. He described the sensation as feeling like a "rip in paper" with intense burning pain across the top of his wrist.
Williams, who had surgery on the wrist and dealt with sprains for much of the season, explained that swelling was a major issue, forcing him to adjust his offensive game significantly. He modified his jump shots to minimize wrist strain by using mainly his fingertips. Between the regular season and playoffs, Williams worked closely with the Thunder’s medical staff, using taping, ibuprofen, and cortisone and lidocaine injections before practices and playoff games to manage the pain.
Although not comparing himself to Kobe Bryant, Williams was aware that many great players have battled injuries and approached his situation with the same resilient mindset, avoiding excuses despite the challenges. The injury barely affected him during the first-round sweep of Memphis but worsened during the second-round series against Denver, where physical play caused the pain injections to wear off quickly and his wrist to swell noticeably.
The team’s medical staff adapted by administering lidocaine shots closer to game time, which initially increased pain in the first half but ensured better performance by the second half. This strategy worked well in the critical Game 7 victory over Denver, where Williams scored 24 points with nearly 59% shooting. He maintained a solid routine in the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota, even as the wrist pain progressively worsened, and helped the Thunder win the series in five games.
Throughout the NBA Finals, Williams’ injury continued to impact him, but he still averaged 23.6 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He had a standout performance in Game 5 with 40 points, six rebounds, and four assists, helping the Thunder take a 3-2 series lead, and added 20 points in the title-clinching Game 7 victory. Despite these impressive postseason stats, Williams faced criticism from media and fans unaware of the extent of his injury.
Williams chose to keep his injury private, not wanting it to be an excuse or distract from his performance goals. He emphasized that most players suffer injuries during the playoffs and insisted on focusing on his contribution to the team’s success without external sympathy.
Fan Take: This story highlights the incredible toughness and dedication it takes to compete at the highest level of basketball. For fans, it’s a powerful reminder that many stars persevere through unseen battles, which adds even more respect for their on-court achievements and the spirit of the sport.
