OKC Thunder's Jalen Williams shines in return from injury, leads team past Lakers

Williams scores 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to power Thunder to victory over LeBron James and the Lakers.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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OKC Thunder forward Jalen Williams returned from a 10-game absence due to a hamstring injury and delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to lead his team to a 119-110 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite showing some early rust, Williams found his rhythm late and hit a key jumper in the final minute to seal the victory.

Why it matters

Jalen Williams' return from injury is a significant boost for the Thunder, who are looking to build on their championship run from last season. His ability to step up in crunch time and outshine even the biggest stars in the league demonstrates his value as a key player for OKC.

The details

Williams struggled with his shot early, going 3-for-11 from the field through the first three quarters. But he found his groove in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 23 points to help the Thunder pull away. He hit a clutch jumper in the final minute to seal the win. Williams' performance was even more impressive considering he was returning from a 10-game absence due to a hamstring injury and had also missed time earlier in the season recovering from wrist surgery.

  • Williams returned to action on Monday, February 10, 2026 after missing the previous 10 games.
  • Williams injured his right shooting wrist at the end of last regular season, requiring two surgeries that kept him out for the entire summer.

The players

Jalen Williams

A 24-year-old forward for the OKC Thunder who helped the team win its first championship last season. He missed significant time this season due to a hamstring injury and recovering from wrist surgery.

Chet Holmgren

A 7-foot-1 teammate of Jalen Williams on the OKC Thunder who has provided support and encouragement to Williams during his injury recovery.

Mark Daigneault

The head coach of the OKC Thunder, who praised Williams' performance and impact in the team's win over the Lakers.

LeBron James

The superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who was sitting courtside at the game.

Deandre Ayton

The Lakers player who collided with Jalen Williams' wrist during the game, causing him some brief pain.

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What they’re saying

“He slammed the door on that game. He's got such a body of work that we're not overly concerned with how he plays coming back. We're just happy he's back. … Obviously, he was huge tonight. We know he's a big-time player.”

— Mark Daigneault, Thunder Head Coach (The Oklahoman)

“We have so many different people from different directions talking at us at times, it feels like. You have your coaches. You have your team and your individual team. You have your friends and your family. Even if everybody says something that's right, you can't process that much stuff. I don't want to be another voice talking at (Williams). I just try to give him encouragement.”

— Chet Holmgren, Thunder Center (The Oklahoman)

“You're trying to figure out when to be aggressive and score and that whole thing. That was some of it, and some of it was not playing for three or four weeks. That's tough. And then obviously being out for the other portion of the season. I was just trying to get my feet settled in. But it's just (about) still being aggressive down the stretch and not letting that shake my confidence.”

— Jalen Williams (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

The Thunder will look to build on Jalen Williams' strong return as they continue their push for another championship. Their next game is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th against the Phoenix Suns.

The takeaway

Jalen Williams' resilience and ability to perform at a high level despite battling injuries underscores his importance to the Thunder's success. His clutch play down the stretch against the Lakers demonstrates his potential to be a difference-maker when it matters most, making him a key piece of OKC's championship aspirations.