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Is Jalen Williams playing tonight? Final status for Thunder star vs. Pistons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Wednesday night's possible NBA Finals preview between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons might not be appointment viewing after all.
While the Pistons remain without suspended big man Isaiah Stewart, the Thunder will be down MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- and potentially, a host of other players.
MORE: Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing tonight at Pistons? Latest update on Thunder star's injury
One of those absences will be Jalen Williams, the All-Star guard who has endured an injury-riddled campaign amid the Thunder's NBA title defense.
Is Jalen Williams playing against the Pistons?
No, Williams is out for Wednesday night's game in Detroit, which tips off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
It will mark Williams' 34th missed game of the season. He missed the first 19 games as he recovered from offseason wrist surgery before he picked up a right hamstring strain on Jan. 18. He returned earlier this month but re-aggravated the injury against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 11.
Williams is part of an extensive injury report for Oklahoma City ahead of Wednesday's game. In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder will not have Isaiah Hartenstein available, while Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren have been listed as doubtful to play at Little Caesars Arena.
OKC’s injury report for tonight is extensive.
— Aaron Johnson (@AJohnsonNBA) February 25, 2026
On top of SGA and Jalen Williams being out, Isaiah Hartenstein has now been listed as out.
Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are doubtful. pic.twitter.com/Gd7lzITRB8
When will Jalen Williams return?
Last week, the Thunder confirmed that Williams would be re-evaluated in March as he continues to recover from his hamstring strain.
That day would be on or around March 5, in between games against the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors.
The hope is that Williams will be available to face the Warriors in Oklahoma City on March 7, giving him a few weeks to get back into top shape ahead of the playoffs.
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