Jalen Williams ruled out of Thunder-Spurs Game 2 with hamstring injury

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams left Wednesday’s Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs with a hamstring injury and didn’t return.

Williams left the court after playing seven minutes in the first quarter and did not return before halftime.

The third quarter started without Williams on the floor. Cason Wallace replaced him in the starting lineup, and the Thunder ruled him out shortly after the quarter started with hamstring tightness.

The NBC broadcast showed Williams with a wrap around the same left hamstring that sidelined him earlier in the playoffs for six games.

Williams missed Oklahoma City’s entire four-game second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with the injury, but returned for Game 1 Monday night against the Spurs, posting 26 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes.

An All-NBA player and a key to Oklahoma City’s run to last season’s NBA championship, Williams is critical to Oklahoma City’s chances against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

The Thunder are at a significant disadvantage without him.