October 27, 2026 at 5:42 AM UTC

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Thunder's Jalen Williams Has Fractured Fibula, Dislocated Ankle and Will Need Surgery

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Oklahoma City's All-NBA forward was hurt late in Sunday's win over the Clippers and has no timetable to return. Cason Wallace also needs surgery, on a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Jalen Williams gives the crowd a thumbs-up as he is taken off on a stretcher against the Clippers on Oct. 25 — Getty Images via NBA.com
Jalen Williams gives the crowd a thumbs-up as he is taken off on a stretcher against the Clippers on Oct. 25 — Getty Images via NBA.com

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams has a fractured left fibula and a dislocated left ankle and will need surgery, general manager Sam Presti said Monday. Williams was hurt late in the Thunder's 108-101 win over the LA Clippers on Sunday night and was taken off the court on a stretcher.

The Thunder have not set a timetable for his return. Presti said one will not be set until after the surgery. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Williams is expected to miss months, if not the rest of the season.

"Dub, as everybody knows, is as tough as they come," Presti said. "We're going to be with him the entire way." He added: "Most importantly, things could have been a lot worse."

How it happened

The injury came with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter. Williams drove to the basket, collided with Kris Dunn in the air and landed awkwardly on his left leg. Dunn was called for a flagrant 1 foul. Medical staff reached Williams almost immediately and covered his leg with towels, and the game was stopped for about five minutes while a stretcher was brought out.

The Paycom Center video board shows Williams' thumbs-up after the injury — Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images via NBC Sports
The Paycom Center video board shows Williams' thumbs-up after the injury — Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images via NBC Sports

As he was wheeled off, Williams gave the crowd a thumbs-up, and fans at Paycom Center answered with a standing ovation. Several Thunder players were visibly shaken. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought back tears in a televised interview afterward. "I just feel bad for him," he said. "Nothing more than that."

"Those are tough, man," coach Mark Daigneault said. "We're not doing great. That's tough on the guys."

Williams finished the game with 8 points, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes. Through three games this season, he was averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Wallace also needs surgery

The same game cost Oklahoma City a second starter. Guard Cason Wallace, who was named to the All-Defensive team last season, hurt his left shoulder against the Clippers and needs surgery to repair a torn labrum. His return timeline will also be set after the operation, and the procedure typically requires several months of rehabilitation.

Jalen Williams at Paycom Center — Yahoo Sports
Jalen Williams at Paycom Center — Yahoo Sports

The Thunder played the next night without both of them, and without Chet Holmgren, who sat out with tendinitis in his right knee. They still beat the Phoenix Suns 125-114 behind 30 points from Ajay Mitchell to improve to 4-0.

Another setback after an injury-filled season

Williams is one of the league's best two-way players. He is an All-Star, an All-NBA pick and a 2024-25 All-Defensive selection, and he was a key part of Oklahoma City's 2025 championship team. He has averaged 17.9 points over 251 games in his first five seasons.

He was also coming back from a difficult year. Wrist and hamstring injuries cost him 49 regular-season games last season, and this injury came three games into a season the Thunder began as co-favorites for the title.

What's next

Williams' surgery will determine how long Oklahoma City is without him, and the Thunder will set his timeline afterward. Presti said he had not yet thought about any roster move. "I haven't thought about anything related to the roster spot," he said.

Sources

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