Jalen Williams Played Through Torn Wrist Ligament in Playoffs

Overcoming Adversity: Jalen Williams' Unseen Struggle in the 2025 NBA Finals

During the 2025 NBA Finals, many were aware of Tyrese Haliburton's injury struggles, but few knew about the hidden battle that Jalen Williams was fighting. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard was dealing with a severe wrist injury that he had sustained months earlier, yet he managed to play through it without missing a single game during the team’s championship run.

Williams revealed that he completely tore the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist during the Thunder’s 125-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on April 9. The injury came with an intense sensation, which he described as “a paper ripping noise” and a feeling of his hand being “on fire.” Despite the pain, he continued to compete, showcasing remarkable resilience.

Throughout the season, Williams had been dealing with a wrist sprain, but this particular injury was far more severe. The swelling in his entire right hand forced him to make significant adjustments to his game. He modified his jump shot to rely more on touch and used only his fingertips to avoid following through as much as possible.

The Thunder took full advantage of the break between the regular season and the playoffs. Williams made necessary changes to his shooting technique, while the team’s medical staff provided support through heavy taping, Ibuprofen, and cortisone and lidocaine injections. These shots became a routine before each playoff game, helping him manage the pain and stay on the court.

While he didn’t compare himself to Kobe Bryant, Williams was told that the Lakers legend had also played through similar injuries. This knowledge motivated him to push through the pain. “I got 28 or 29 shots in my hand throughout the playoffs,” he said. “I just thought, ‘that can’t be for nothing.’ That was my mentality.”

The injury began to affect him more during the second-round series against Denver, where the physical nature of the games caused his lidocaine shot to wear off too soon. His right hand swelled significantly, and a play involving Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon exacerbated the issue, leading to further complications.

In response, the Thunder’s medical team adjusted their approach, administering the lidocaine shot closer to tip-off. Although this led to a more painful first half, the medication kicked in by the start of the second half, ensuring that Williams could perform at his best. This strategy proved effective, as he scored 24 points on nearly 59% shooting in the series-clinching Game 7.

Entering the Western Conference finals against Minnesota, Williams was in a “really good routine,” and the series went smoothly. He credited his ability to adapt to the injury, noting that he gradually improved his performance through practice and adjustments in his shooting technique.

The NBA Finals also went relatively well for Williams, despite the ongoing injury. He averaged 23.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His most notable performance came in Game 5, where he scored 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, helping the Thunder take a 3-2 lead in the series. He followed that up with 20 points in the title-clinching Game 7.

Despite his strong performance, Williams expressed disappointment with his shooting accuracy throughout the postseason. “I didn’t shoot the way I wanted to throughout any series,” he admitted. “It kind of went out the window just because my dominant hand wasn’t what it was.”

Although his numbers remained consistent with his regular-season performance, Williams faced criticism from fans and media who were unaware of his injury. He chose not to disclose his condition, fearing that other teams might exploit the information. “When you’re playing in the playoffs, for the most part, everybody’s hurt,” he said. “I just didn’t want that to be an excuse on my performance or something that detoured me from the end goal.”