Jalen Williams' Season Debut Ignites Thunder vs Suns

Merlin sees Jalen Williams returning Friday against the Suns, per Shams Charania, after offseason wrist surgery and a follow-up procedure to remove an irritating screw. Williams played through a ligament tear in the Finals, averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season, and earned All-Star and All-NBA honors — his comeback matters because the 17–1 Thunder add elite two-way scoring to an already dominant lineup. Merlin remembers Williams’ playoff mindset — "I got 28 or 29 shots in my hand...That can't be for nothing" — and expects that clutch scoring, playmaking and defense to deepen OKC’s rotation. Early minutes will be managed, but his return makes matchups tougher and gives the Thunder more insurance for a long title defense.