It was a commanding win for Oklahoma City over Phoenix, but the status of one of the team’s best players is in question moving forward.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night with a 120-107 victory, but it wasn’t all good for OKC.
For starters, Jalen Williams, who has dealt with a right hamstring injury all season long, left this game with an apparent hamstring injury, this time on his left leg. It’s still unclear exactly how long he could be out, if at all, along with the severity of the injury and what exactly it is. More clarity will presumably come in the coming days, but these are the types of injuries that can keep a player out for multiple series. So nonetheless, it was a tough development for the Thunder early in the game.
Shortly after Williams exited, the Suns made this one competitive. Despite trailing by as many as 26 points, Phoenix stormed back and got the game within just a handful of possessions in the final few minutes. Still, Oklahoma City took care of business and finished off the 13-point win. So while the final margin looks comfortable, this was a competitive matchup down the stretch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ended up having to play the fourth quarter in this contest after it looked like he might not have to for the second straight game. He also injured his left hand, specifically the fingers on his left hand, early in the game. Even so, he still played phenomenally through it. It didn’t appear to be anything that will hold him back moving forward, but it’s another notable situation to monitor for OKC.
From here, the series shifts back to Phoenix. These two teams will match up again on Saturday afternoon, and OKC will look to take a 3-0 series lead while also hoping to get more news on Jalen Williams’ injury.