While the intensity of the NBA Playoffs often brings injuries to the forefront, some battles are fought away from the public eye. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams recently revealed he played through a significant, painful injury during the team`s successful championship run: a completely torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
The injury occurred late in the regular season, during a game against the Phoenix Suns on April 9th. Williams described the moment with striking clarity: a sound like “paper ripping” followed by intense pain, a sensation of his entire hand being “on fire.” This wasn`t just a minor sprain; it was a complete tear of a crucial ligament, adding a severe complication to a wrist he admitted had already been bothering him for much of the season.
Despite the severity, Williams did not miss a single playoff game. The primary challenge was managing the significant swelling in his entire right hand. This necessitated a fundamental alteration to his offensive approach. He had to change his shooting form drastically, relying predominantly on touch and using only his fingertips, minimizing the painful follow-through motion.
The period between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs became crucial for managing the injury. The team`s medical staff employed an aggressive strategy involving heavy taping, regular doses of Ibuprofen, and administering cortisone and lidocaine shots. Williams received numerous injections throughout the playoffs – by his own account, close to 30 shots in his hand – just to practice and play.
While he eventually settled into a routine with pre-game lidocaine shots, the physical toll was immense. The intensely physical second-round series against Denver proved particularly challenging. The contact caused the pain relief to wear off prematurely, leading to significant swelling and pain, especially after a specific play involving Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon aggravated the injury further. This forced another adjustment: timing the lidocaine shot closer to tip-off, resulting in a painful first half but more manageable second halves.
Williams acknowledged being informed that NBA legend Kobe Bryant had also played through a similar injury, a comparison that perhaps underscored the difficulty and mental fortitude required. “That can`t be for nothing,” became his mantra regarding the constant medical interventions.
Despite these hidden struggles, Williams maintained a high level of play, contributing significantly to the Thunder`s championship. His performance in the NBA Finals, averaging 23.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, demonstrated his impact even while compromised. He delivered critical performances, including a 40-point outburst in Game 5 that gave the Thunder a crucial series lead.
However, Williams himself felt the injury impacted his shot quality, stating that the “work that I did up until the summer and how well I shot the ball during the season” felt somewhat negated because his dominant hand wasn`t functioning as it should. This internal frustration likely contrasted with external perceptions from fans and media unaware of the extent of his injury.
Keeping the injury quiet was a deliberate strategy. Williams did not want to provide excuses for his performance or give opposing teams any potential tactical advantage. As he put it, during the playoffs, “for the most part, everybody`s hurt,” and highlighting his own ailment felt counterproductive to the ultimate goal.
Jalen Williams` decision to play through a completely torn ligament, managing extreme pain through physical adjustments and significant medical intervention, stands as a remarkable testament to dedication and perseverance. It`s a stark reminder that the narrative visible on the court often hides unseen battles fought by athletes determined to compete at the highest level, ultimately culminating in the ultimate team success before undergoing necessary post-season surgery.
Jasper Hawthorne