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What does it take to win a championship when your star player is playing through pain most would find unbearable? The Oklahoma City Thunder’s incredible 2025 title run wasn’t just a story of skill and teamwork—it was also a testament to sheer grit. Jalen Williams, despite tearing a ligament in his right wrist before the playoffs even kicked off, never once missed a game. You might’ve noticed the protective wrapping or him nursing that wrist quietly between plays, but hardly anyone knew just how deep the agony ran. Surgery was always on the horizon—it just had to wait until after the confetti fell. Now that the Thunder’s celebratory smoke has settled, Williams is finally getting the repair he’s long overdue for. But here’s the kicker: can the recovery timeline align perfectly with a new season, or will this injury shadow his next chapter? Let’s dive into the untold sacrifice behind those championship moments, because pain and victory often walk hand in hand—even if no one outside the locker room sees it.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s run to the NBA championship came with a hidden cost that few knew about during their playoff push.

While fans celebrated each victory, one of their key players was battling through significant pain that would have sidelined most athletes.

Jalen Williams tore a ligament in his right wrist before the playoffs began, yet he never missed a game during the Thunder’s title chase.

The team recently announced that Williams had surgery to repair the injury.

“Jalen Williams underwent a successful procedure to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, the team announced today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks,” Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire wrote on X.

Thunder PR:

Jalen Williams underwent a successful procedure to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, the team announced today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks pic.twitter.com/MXyY4u2M2n

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) July 1, 2025

The injury occurred on April 9 in a regular-season victory against the Phoenix Suns.

Team officials knew from the start that surgery would be required once the season ended.

Williams made the decision to delay the procedure, choosing to play through the discomfort.

The pain was evident to those watching closely. Williams wore protective wrapping during every playoff game and was frequently spotted cradling his wrist between plays.

Despite his attempts to downplay its severity, the injury affected his daily routine and game preparation.

Yet, his performance never wavered. In 23 postseason games, he averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest.

Williams recently offered fans a glimpse of his recovery process on social media, showing off his cast while playfully displaying his championship ring finger.

The recovery timeline aligns perfectly with the upcoming season, as his 12-week window should end right around training camp in September.

The post Thunder Star Has Surgery After Winning Championship appeared first on The Cold Wire.