Kenrich Williams gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a huge morale boost in his 2025-26 season debut, helping the team secure a 113-105 NBA Cup win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old forward missed the first 18 games of the regular season due to knee surgery. In his first game back, Williams chipped in four rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes off the bench. He also had one of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s highest plus-minuses at +11.
“He means a lot to us. Even more so than the player on the court. He’s a great voice around the team. He’s one of the realest people you’ll spend time around and talk to. I love K-Rich outside of basketball. You never want to see anybody hurt or rehabbing. I’ve been through it. It sucks. I’m happy he’s past that and able to get back out there with us and rolling,” Chet Holmgren said of Williams via Clemente Almanza of the Thunder Wire.
“It was good. He brought the same energy he always does. Competitiveness. Fiery spirit. He was on the glass. K was himself tonight. We’re getting whole, and it was nice to have him back,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added.
Oklahoma City Thunder News: Jalen Williams to make season debut vs. Phoenix Suns
ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that Jalen Williams, who had been recovering from right wrist surgery since July, will make his 2025-26 season debut against the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Despite not having Williams in the rotation, the Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t skipped a beat, starting the season at 18-1, and posting the best point differential through 19 games in NBA history at +16.5.
Last season, Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals on 48.4 percent shooting from the field across 69 regular season appearances. The 24-year-old swingman also made his first All-Star appearance and won his first Larry O’Brien trophy.
