The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals without one of their key starters after Jalen Williams was ruled out because of a left hamstring strain.
Oklahoma City listed Williams as out on its injury report released May 29, with the designation noted as injury management for the hamstring issue. The update arrives less than 24 hours before the Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs in a winner-take-all matchup at Paycom Center on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Williams’ absence is one of the biggest developments of the series because of the role he occupies next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on both ends of the floor. In a postseason defined by short rotations and matchup adjustments, losing a primary perimeter scorer and versatile defender before Game 7 changes Oklahoma City’s lineup outlook.
The Thunder injury report also includes Ajay Mitchell, who remains out with a right soleus strain, and Thomas Sorber, who continues recovering from right ACL surgery. San Antonio enters the game fully healthy, with no players listed on the injury report.
Without Williams available, Oklahoma City is likely to place a larger offensive burden on Gilgeous-Alexander, who has averaged 28.4 points and 8.0 assists across 14 playoff games. The Thunder star has carried the offense throughout the postseason and will face even more defensive attention from a Spurs team built around size, length and transition pressure.
Chet Holmgren becomes even more important in the Game 7 equation. The 23-year-old has averaged 16.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 57.6% from the field during the playoffs, giving Oklahoma City interior scoring and rim protection against Victor Wembanyama.
The Thunder may also need expanded production from Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain to compensate for Williams’ absence. Caruso has averaged 11.3 points while shooting 47.1% from three-point range in the playoffs, while Wallace has contributed efficient perimeter shooting and point-of-attack defense.
San Antonio enters Game 7 with momentum after a 118-91 victory in Game 6 on Thursday forced the series back to Oklahoma City. Victor Wembanyama has led the Spurs throughout the postseason with 23.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, while Stephon Castle has emerged as a secondary creator with 19.5 points and 6.4 assists.
The matchup has remained one of the NBA playoffs’ most competitive series. San Antonio won four of five regular-season meetings, but Oklahoma City finished with the Western Conference’s best record at 64-18 and owns home-court advantage for the deciding game.
