Significantly hindered by his hamstring issues, Jalen Williams missed most of the West Finals for OKC against the Spurs.
While he acknowledged the San Antonio Spurs as a much better team, Jalen Williams still thinks highly of the Oklahoma City Thunder's chances if he only remained healthy and available to play in the Western Conference Finals.
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"I don't do the hypothetical thing too much because it does not solve anything that's going on right now. But to humor your question, obviously I think I could've made an impact," Williams told Clemente Almanza of USA Today. "I think we could've won if I played.
"Went to seven with them without me playing. I don't think I make us worse."
The franchise's co-star for back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams was significantly missed by OKC when it mattered the most amid hamstring complications.
He first sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 2 of the first round against the Phoenix Suns. Williams was shelved for a month to recover and only rejoined the Thunder in the West Finals opener against the Spurs.
But in Game 2 of the series, he subsequently re-aggravated his problematic hamstring strain, missing the next three games. He forced himself to play in Game 6, but it was obvious that he wasn't fully recovered yet to suit up.
In street clothes while sitting on the sidelines, Williams ultimately saw the Thunder collapsing and failing to continue their title defense, as the Spurs prevailed in a nerve-racking Game 7 finish.
It has been a frustrating season overall for Williams. After becoming an All-Star and All-NBA player last year, injuries limited him to just 33 appearances this past regular season.
In the end, regardless of the what-ifs, the star forward is tipping his hat to the Spurs.
"They're a good team. It would've been a challenge if I played or not, but I definitely think I could have changed the series," Williams said. "But we'll just have to wait until we meet again at some point."
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