Thunder's Williams, Wallace out months after surgery — SkimNews
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- Jalen Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle after landing awkwardly on a foul late in Sunday's game, an injury that required him to be stretchered off the court.
- Cason Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder after running into a screen during the first quarter of the same game.
- Sam Presti announced both players will undergo surgery, with recovery timelines to be determined post-operation, noting both injuries typically require multiple months of rehabilitation.
- Williams is in the first season of a five-year, $239 million maximum contract and has endured a series of significant injuries over the past 18 months, including a wrist surgery and recurring hamstring strains.
- Wallace signed a five-year, $139 million contract extension last week and moved into the starting lineup this season after the Thunder traded Luguentz Dort.
- Presti stated the team is "extremely optimistic" about both players' recoveries but acknowledged the team must figure out its next steps without them.
Why it matters: The Thunder lose two core starters on expensive, long-term contracts for a potentially season-altering duration. This forces a major roster recalculation for a contending team, testing its depth and resilience during a critical stretch of the regular season.
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