Jalen Williams feels 'extremely fresh' ahead of OKC's 2026 NBA playoffs

Waiting for the week to find out their Round 1 opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to join rare company as back-to-back NBA champions. To get there, Jalen Williams might have to shoulder the biggest responsibilities sans Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder were able to get to a league-best 64-18 regular-season record without Williams.

He only played in 33 games as he dealt with two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains. But as the reigning NBA champions can attest, winning in the NBA playoffs is a different animal. If the Thunder hope to bring home another Larry O'Brien trophy, Williams has to return to his All-NBA level last year.

When the halfcourt offense bogs down, he's OKC's best bet to create his own bucket outside of Gilgeous-Alexander. As last year's run proved, you need another bonafide scorer. Logging 32 minutes in OKC's win over the LA Clippers to clinch the first seed, Williams is confident any injury problems are behind him.

It was the first time he's played 30-plus minutes since before he initially hurt his hamstring on Jan. 17 at Miami. “I feel extremely fresh," Williams said.