Is Jalen Williams playing tonight vs. Lakers? Injury update for Thunder star

Oklahoma City Thunder have been cruising so far through the 2026 NBA playoffs despite not being at full strength.

Thunder star Jalen “J-Dub” Williams has not played since suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the first round against the Phoenix Suns on April 22. Williams played in the first two games of the opening series and has been sidelined since.

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Oklahoma City finished the Suns in a sweep and have since moved on to the Conference semifinals to face the Los Angeles Lakers, where they hold a 1-0 series lead after their 108-90 Game 1 win on May 5.

Williams missed the first game of the Thunder-Lakers series. His status for Game 2 mirrors his Game 1 status.

According to the NBA injury report (as of 5 p.m. ET), Williams is listed out for Game 2 with a left hamstring.

Williams, 25, averaged 17.1 points and 5.5 assists for the Thunder during the 2025-26 regular-season. He shot 48.4% from the field and just under 30% from 3-point distance. His average plus/minus is +6.9.

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Despite missing those numbers, Oklahoma City has shown signs of success without Williams, who has sat out at times throughout the season with injuries. Williams played in 33 regular-season games. He was limited with two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains.

The Thunder have been breezing by opponents with or without him, defeating their opponents by an average of 17.4 points in five games. Adding Williams would only make Oklahoma City seem unstoppable.

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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one…


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Publish date : 2026-05-07 21:59:00

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