In a postgame setting that felt like a funeral, the Oklahoma City Thunder were all out of sorts. Usually, when talking to the local media, they're detailed with their words and extremely calculated. But for obvious reasons, things were different after their 108-101 win over the LA Clippers.
Jalen Williams' gruesome-looking injury had everybody in the Paycom Center shell-shocked. From Thunder players to the OKC crowd to arena workers. With 1:14 to go in regulation, Kris Dunn collided with him mid-air on a drive to the rim. He landed badly on his left leg. It looked like it snapped in the wrong direction.
The Thunder medical staff had to cover Williams' leg with towels. He was eventually stretchered off the floor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexande wept tears;
Chet Holmgren knelt in prayer; and Alex Caruso looked the other way in total disbelief.
Here's everything the Thunder said about Williams' injury — as it looks like it'll be a season-defining one for the worse:
Mark Daigneault
"Yeah, those are tough, man. I don't know. We're not doing great. That's tough on the guys. Everyone empathizes. I think both teams in those situations. Not doing great."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
"You've got to play the hand you're dealt in life. It is what it is. It sucks, but it's part of the game. But we have a team for a reason. We have a guy who can step in place. Make a difference out there on the floor. Hold the fort down until those guys come back. But also support those guys in their journey."
"He just loves playing, loves the competition. That's who he is. I have no doubt in my mind he'll be back. He'll be better than he was before. Just like how he handled the last couple of injuries. It's unfortunate. His luck so far. He's up for it. He's a warrior."
Alex Caruso
"There's no getting around feeling bad for Dub, feeling sorry for him. All the emotions that come with somebody getting stretched off the court. That's your teammate. That's been through all the things that he's been through and the adversity he's been through to work and get back and then have something else kind of freak happen to. It stings."
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Several OKC Thunder players react to Jalen Williams' injury in win over Clippers
