Jaylin

Williams

Williams has been sidelined since Dec. 13 and will remain out for another game. With Isaiah Hartenstein also sidelined, OKC will rely on Branden Carlson for the backup center minutes behind Chet Holmgren.

That timeline has Hartenstein being re-evaluated between Dec. 9-13 after he was diagnosed with a right soleus strain. Jalen Williams filled Hartenstein’s spot in the starting unit in his return to the lineup. Jaylin Williams saw a bump in minutes with Hartenstein unavailable and should take on a larger role until he returns.

Williams has been upgraded from questionable to available for Tuesday’s game. He played well as a starter in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans, but that was with Chet Holmgren unavailable. Holmgren is back, so JayWill will likely come off the bench.

Williams, who started Sunday’s win over the Pelicans in place of the ill Luguentz Dort, is dealing with a sprained left shoulder. The impact of JayWill’s potential absence hinges upon Dort’s availability, as he is also questionable for Tuesday night. If Dort returns, Williams’ opportunities will decrease, especially with Chet Holmgren (back) available.

Williams will slide into the starting lineup to replace Luguentz Dort, who is sidelined due to an illness. Chet Holmgren (back) is also sidelined again, which allows Williams to start in the frontcourt next to Hartenstein to form a taller starting frontcourt to match up with Zion Williamson and Yves Missi.

Holmgren has played 38 and 39 minutes in Oklahoma City’s first two games; he did not surpass 36 minutes in any of his 32 regular-season appearances last season. The questionable tag suggests there’s a chance he’ll be available to play, so there’s no need for fantasy managers to panic. If Holmgren sits, the Thunder will likely look to Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng to absorb some of those minutes.

Instead of picking up Williams’ option for the 2025-26 season worth $2.1 million, the Thunder declined to give him a far superior deal. The third year of Jay Will’s new contract will be a team option. A preseason hamstring injury limited Williams to 47 games during the regular season, but he is a valued reserve for the NBA champions. He recorded four double-doubles and three triple-doubles, stepping up to provide value on nights when Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein was unavailable. As was the case this season, Williams will likely be most valuable to fantasy managers as a streamer in 2025-26.

Already playing without Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder lost Jaylin Williams to a strained oblique during the first half of Sunday’s game. The result was even more playing time for Carlson, who had the best day of his NBA career. Not only did the rookie record season highs in points and rebounds, but this was also his first double-double. Unlike Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, Carlson will not be in the Thunder playoff rotation, even if Williams misses time. But he undoubtedly made a positive impression with his play in New Orleans.

Williams injured his ankle just two minutes into the game, and there is no reason for him to play through it in a meaningless game. Branden Carlson will fill out the center minutes in this game.

Hartenstein and Holmgren’s continued absences mean Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams should remain in the starting lineup for Sunday’s regular-season finale. The latter only needed 25 minutes to record a triple-double in Friday’s win over the Jazz; keep an eye on JayWill for Sunday as well, since that’s another good matchup for him. Kenrich will have value in active deep leagues.