Jalen Williams Debuts as Thunder Win 11th Straight, Top Suns 123-119

BREAKING: Jalen Williams made a triumphant return, scoring 11 points and dishing out 8 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly defeated the Phoenix Suns 123-119 on Friday night. This victory marks the Thunder’s 11th consecutive win and cements their place in the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

In front of an electrified crowd in Oklahoma City, Williams played 29 minutes in his first game back after undergoing wrist surgery in July. He helped propel the defending champions to a stellar 19-1 start, becoming only the fifth team in NBA history to achieve such a record. The Thunder concluded the group stage with a perfect 4-0 in West Group A.

“The goal for tonight was to get in a rhythm,” Williams stated. “It’s an adjustment, but I’m just trying to find my spots.” The young star, who averaged 21.6 points last season, emphasized that getting back into his offensive groove would take time. “I can always play hard defensively, but offensively, it’s a work in progress,” he added.

Williams’ return is a significant boost for the Thunder, who have excelled despite his absence through the first 19 games of the season. His impressive performance comes after two surgeries on his right wrist, first to repair a torn ligament, followed by a procedure to remove a screw that caused irritation.

In a standout performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 37 points, including 15 points in the final seven minutes, showcasing his clutch ability with a remarkable 4-of-5 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 92 consecutive games, tying with the legendary Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history.

Despite his strong return, Williams is ineligible for postseason honors due to his missed games, impacting his potential $287 million super maximum contract kicker in his existing $239 million extension.

As the Thunder gear up for the knockout rounds, all eyes will be on Williams to see how quickly he can regain his full form. The next challenge awaits as the Thunder look to maintain their momentum in what has already proven to be a historic season.

Stay tuned for more updates on Williams and the Thunder as they continue their quest for the NBA Cup.