Before Wednesday’s game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault gave an update on Jalen Williams’ recovery from wrist surgery, as relayed by Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. There’s still no set timeline for Williams’ return, but Daigneault praised the forward’s attitude and commitment throughout rehab.
“Day-to-day, and he’s doing a great job,” Daigneault said. “There’s so much invisible work that goes into a return to play that you guys don’t get the opportunity to see and we don’t even get the opportunity to see.”
The Thunder have kept rolling without him, carrying a 17–1 record into Wednesday’s matchup with Minnesota. Williams, who made third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense last season, is already ineligible for postseason awards this year due to the number of games missed.
Daigneault said he saw Williams’ dedication firsthand when he arrived at the practice facility at 8:15 a.m. and found the 24-year-old in the middle of physical therapy in preparation for on-court work. He noted that this type of daily grind is essential in long rehabs.
“That’s the work you have to put in day after day without the immediate carrot of playing when you’re going through a rehab,” Daigneault said.
“But that’s why having guys with the maturity that we have is so important. (Thomas) Sorber has done a great job with that. (Nikola) Topic has done a great job with that. Chet (Holmgren) has done it a couple of different times. (Williams) is doing it just the way we want him to do it.”
Northwest Notes: J. Williams, Presti, Wolves, C. Williams https://t.co/XitwkJxt9Z pic.twitter.com/5d8cfTjfWh
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 27, 2025
