The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without one of their best players after their heartbreaking 2-point loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday. Their forward, Jalen Williams, injured his right leg during the game, and according to credible reports, he is set to take a break for an indefinite time.
Surprisingly, fans are celebrating the news, urging that OKC do better running without Williams.
NBA Fans Show No Mercy for Jalen Williams After Brutal Hamstring Report
The All-NBA selection suffered the injury during the second quarter of Saturday’s 122-120 road loss to the Heat, which marks Williams’ second injury setback this season.
The broadcast camera captured him holding his hamstring in pain after a bad behind-the-back pass to Chet Holmgren. He then grabbed the back of his right leg. OKC first said it was right thigh soreness, but tests on Sunday confirmed it was a hamstring strain.
He missed the first 19 games recovering from wrist surgery last year. In that period, the record Thunder posted was mesmerizing. They literally went 18-1 without him to start the year, including 17 straight Ws.
The irony? Since his return in late November, OKC has posted a 17-7 record. So, fans are getting real after he is again set to take a break due to the latest injury setback. Many believe the Thunder will do better on the court without him.
BREAKING: Jalen Williams is out indefinitely with a right hamstring strain, per @RealGM
Tough loss for OKC. pic.twitter.com/5z7yVlqCzx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 19, 2026
One fan dropped the coldest take, penning, “Don’t Care About This Cow, We Won 17 Straight Without Him.”
Another added, “Thunder might beat the 73-9 record since he’s out now.”
A third fan noted, “They literally play better without him.”
The fourth one claimed, “They play better without him. But prayers to him.”
A fifth one remarked, “They’re better without him.”
Williams has struggled since returning from wrist surgery. With an average of 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per match, his shooting percentages dropped significantly from last season.
Thunder has a 41-9 record without Jalen Williams all-time. That stat line is enough to defend the fans’ backlash. Despite owning the NBA’s best record (35-8), fans are not forgiving of Williams because among those eight losses, seven came when Williams was with the team.
