OKLAHOMA CITY — Jalen Williams will miss at least another 10 days for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The All-Star guard/forward who helped Oklahoma City win the NBA title last season had surgery in July to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. The team announced Friday that he had a follow-up procedure to remove a screw that was causing irritation just as he neared a return to action. He will be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days.
Dr. Steven Shin performed the initial procedure and the follow-up at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The Thunder are off to a 6-0 start without Williams. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is again one of the league's top scorers, and Williams' absence has allowed room for second-year guard Ajay Mitchell to emerge. Mitchell is averaging 18.5 points as a reserve after having a limited role last season.
Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals last season, and he was named to the All-NBA third team and the NBA All-Defensive second team. He was injured late in the regular season and played in all 23 post-season games with the injury. He averaged 23.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in the Finals against the Indiana Pacers, including a 40-point outburst in Game 5.
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