Thunder's Jalen Williams Reveals Special Support System Amid Injury-Riddled Season

Williams reflects on his relationship with brother Cody and how it helped him navigate his first injury-plagued NBA campaign.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:56am

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams discussed his close relationship with his brother, Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, and how it has helped him through his first injury-riddled NBA season. Jalen, who has dealt with two hamstring injuries, said he and Cody don't often talk about basketball, but they are each other's biggest supporters off the court.

Why it matters

Jalen Williams' candid comments about leaning on his brother during a challenging season provide a glimpse into the personal lives of NBA players and the importance of having a strong support system, especially when dealing with injuries that can derail a young player's development.

The details

In the Thunder's 146-111 win over the Jazz, Jalen Williams scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including one 3-pointer, while adding seven assists and two rebounds. His brother Cody finished with eight points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals for the Jazz. Jalen said he and Cody don't often discuss basketball, but they will talk about each other's games if one of them has just played. Jalen also reflected on watching Luka Doncic suffer a hamstring injury against the Lakers, saying it was 'spooky' to see the same injury he has dealt with this season happen to another player.

  • Jalen Williams returned to action six games ago after dealing with two hamstring injuries earlier this season.
  • The Thunder defeated the Jazz on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Jalen Williams

A forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder who has dealt with hamstring injuries this season.

Cody Williams

Jalen Williams' brother, who is a forward for the Utah Jazz.

Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks star who suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out for the rest of the regular season.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, that's my brother. That's the closest human on earth I'm with. So, I always talk to Cody whether I'm hurt or not, or whatever the case may be. Just like a big-brother role. It's more like me talking to him about the NBA. Actually, that's cap. Me and Cody don't even talk about the NBA.”

— Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Forward

“Unless he's playing and he had a game, he'll call me after the game or something. We'll talk about it for a little bit. Everything else is like, well I mean, it's my brother. So, it's like the same way you guys talk with your siblings'”

— Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Forward

“I feel really bad for him. It's very spooky, in a way, to see it happen to him, and I'm the one guarding him. So, that was a weird play. I didn't even want to take off. I think he lost the ball. I could have taken off with the ball. I tried to let it [the ball] go out of bounds to give him time to figure it out. That injury sucks.”

— Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Forward

What’s next

Jalen Williams and the Thunder will face the Los Angeles Lakers on the road on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The takeaway

Jalen Williams' open discussion about leaning on his brother Cody during his own injury struggles this season provides a relatable and humanizing look at the challenges NBA players face, and the importance of having a strong support system, especially for young players navigating their first injury-plagued campaigns.