Even with their Round 2 series shifting locations, the Oklahoma City Thunder will continue to be without an All-NBA talent against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jalen Williams has officially been ruled out for Game 3 with a hamstring strain. He’s now missed five consecutive playoff games with the injury.
Williams sustained the hamstring strain in OKC’s Game 2 win over the Phoenix Suns. Over two weeks later, he remains out. In his absence, the Thunder have rattled off four straight playoff wins. They hold a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers. Ajay Mitchell has seamlessly stepped up to be their second go-to scorer.
It’s been an injury-plagued year for Williams. He only played in 33 regular-season games. Two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains sidelined him for most of the year. Because of that reality, the Thunder have grown an identity of winning basketball without him.
If the Thunder can come away with a Game 3 win, there’s no real reason to push Williams to return for their Round 2 series against the Lakers. At that point, they’d have a daunting 3-0 series lead that basically ends any interest.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Jalen Williams’ Thunder-Lakers Game 3 status officially revealed