Thunder lose starters Wallace, Williams to injuries
WASHINGTON, United States — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams and guard Cason Wallace will both be sidelined indefinitely after upcoming surgeries to repair injuries, the NBA club's general manager Sam Presti announced Monday (Tuesday Manila time).
Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle, while Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder during Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
A timetable for the return of both starters will not be determined until after the operations, but each is in jeopardy of missing the remainder of the NBA campaign based on similar past injuries.
"We're extremely optimistic about the recovery for both of the players," Presti said at a news conference. "Most importantly, things could have been a lot worse."
The Thunder started the NBA season 3-0 with solid contributions from both players.
Williams has averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals a game while Wallace has averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.3 assists a game.
"We'll wrap our arms around these guys. We'll get them back. We'll get them healthy," Presti said.
"When these things happen it's really tough. This is the kind of thing that gets thrown at you here. You just plow right through it. You walk through punches and you step over roadblocks. Our guys are ready to do that."
Presti said he has not pondered what deals he could make to boost the Thunder's hopes for the campaign in the short term.
"I really haven't given a lot of thought to that," Presti said.
That included any thought of trying to coax former Thunder star point guard Russell Westbrook out of retirement. The 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player retired in August at age 37 after 18 NBA seasons, including 2008-2019 with the Thunder.
"All I'm focused on right now is players, getting them the right support, and then helping everybody within our group," Presti said.
"We have a tremendous challenge in front of us but this is what we do. We'll have to keep grinding and I know that's what we'll do."
Williams landed awkwardly and his left leg collapsed with 74 seconds remaining in the game. He was carried off on a stretcher, teammates in tears.
Williams signed a five-year contract extension worth $239 million last year after playing through the Thunder's title run with a torn right wrist ligament.
He missed 19 games last season recovering from the wrist surgery and struggled with hamstring strains most of the campaign, only to face the latest setback.
"He has a great mindset," Presti said. "That's what keeps him motivated."
Wallace, who signed a five-year contract extension worth $139 million last week, was injured in the first quarter after running into a moving screen.
"They will be back again playing pretty soon," Presti said, adding the team has protocols and routines to help cope with such a loss.
"The train has got to keep moving," Presti said. "There's a lot of good fortune that comes in this business and there has to be some bad that comes with it if you do it long enough."
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