Jalen Williams Back in Thunder’s Starting Five Against Lakers

Kisah Berita 1001 - The Oklahoma City Thunder face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in a nationally televised NBA on NBC Peacock matchup, and they will do so with a key piece returning to action. All-NBA wing Jalen Williams is back on the floor after missing the previous 10 games due to a hamstring injury.

It has been an eventful day for Oklahoma City. Earlier Monday, the NBA announced it had opened an investigation into the Thunder’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. In addition, 2024 No. 12 overall pick Nikola Topic made his professional debut with the OKC Blue, the team’s G League affiliate, following the completion of cancer treatment.

The spotlight now shifts to Los Angeles, where the Thunder tip off against the Lakers with Williams rejoining the rotation. The Santa Clara product has appeared in just 24 games this season, delivering inconsistent results in what has been an up-and-down campaign for the former All-Star. His return provides Oklahoma City with a much-needed offensive initiator after playing the past two games without one.

Despite getting Williams back, the Thunder remain shorthanded. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still sidelined with an abdominal issue and is expected to remain out through the NBA All-Star break. The reigning MVP was already replaced on the All-Star roster by Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun.

Reserve guard Ajay Mitchell will also miss Monday’s contest as he continues to recover from an abdominal strain. Mitchell stayed in Oklahoma City to attend the OKC Blue’s game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce at Paycom Center.

Additionally, the Thunder are without rookies Thomas Sorber, Brooks Barnhizer, and Nikola Topic, with Barnhizer and Topic currently assigned to the G League.

The Lakers are dealing with injury concerns of their own. Luka Dončić has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, though Los Angeles received a boost with center Deandre Ayton being cleared to play after initially being listed as questionable due to right knee soreness.

As anticipated, head coach Mark Daigneault reinserted Williams into the starting lineup. Approximately 30 minutes before tip-off, the Thunder officially announced their starters for the night.

Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup

Jalen Williams, F
Cason Wallace, G
Lu Dort, G
Chet Holmgren, F
Isaiah Hartenstein, C

Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

Marcus Smart, G
Rui Hachimura, F
Jake LaRavia, F
LeBron James, F
Deandre Ayton, C

Oklahoma City enters the matchup looking to halt a two-game losing streak, now relying on a single true shot creator as they attempt to regain momentum against a short-handed Lakers squad.