The 2026 Western Conference final is locked in, and a familiar team from last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be there.
OKC is also the defending NBA champion, while the San Antonio Spurs are making a conference finals appearance for the first time since 2014.
Teams are coming on ahead of Game 1 and for OKC, a highly anticipated face is set to rejoin the squad. Jalen Williams has confirmed he is fully healthy after missing the last six games with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel on Friday, Williams admits that he had to fight off the temptation to get back in the court quickly to be in the best of shape.
“It’s good that I haven’t had to rush back from my hamstring stuff at all,” he said. “I’m actually taking like extra days now than from what was originally planned because we were up 3-0 [over the Lakers], so there was no point in going into this series and possibly hurting myself before we play the Timberwolves or the Spurs. I’m about to go into another series healthy.”
Williams last played in Game 2 of the first round against the Phoenix Suns. He contributed 19 points in 23 minutes before exiting due to injury. He has been out for nearly a month but a return is now anticipated.
Jalen Williams Battled Through Injury-Filled Campaign
GettyJalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This season has been a tough one for Williams. Fresh off an All-NBA season last year, the 25-year-old guard battled with injuries that limited him to just 33 regular-season games.
When healthy, Williams is one of the vital cores of OKC’s defensive unit. He brings a versatile two-way game to the starting lineup and is a great complement to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Even before going down in the playoffs, he was putting up some strong numbers. He posted 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1, followed by that 19-point performance in Game 2.
Thunder Gain Major Boost With Star’s Availability
Without Williams, the Thunder were forced to play without one of their key scorers and defenders for half of the first round and the entire second round. To their credit, they didn’t look out of place, sweeping both series emphatically.
The collective effort of the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and even Ajay Mitchell stepping up in key moments has kept OKC rolling at a historic pace.
GettyCason Wallace #22 and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder
However, a date with the Spurs in the conference cinals will be a heavyweight clash between two 60-win franchises. This might not be a cakewalk for the Thunder, and they could use every manpower they can get from their roster.
The timing couldn’t have been any better for Williams to return. Head coach Mark Daigneault noted that the guard was “progressing” after the latest practice session.
The Thunder didn’t throw away caution with Williams. His hamstring tear was only at Grade 1 but with the hamstring, the risk of re-injury could not be taken lightly. Several key stars have been sidelined due to hamstring injuries this postseason most notably Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic. The Slovenian watched from the sidelines as the Lakers were swept by the Thunder.
Game 1 of the conference finals tips off Monday in Oklahoma City. A healthy Williams joining an already undefeated playoff team makes the Thunder even more formidable as they pursue a repeat title.
Jalen Williams Announces Major Personal Update Before Game 1 vs Spurs