Oklahoma City Thunder enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as Jalen Williams is set to make his return.

After being sidelined for the initial 19 games due to offseason wrist surgery, the All-NBA wing is scheduled to hit the court this Friday against the Phoenix Suns in the Thunder’s concluding NBA Cup group-stage match. With the team boasting an impressive 18-1 start, integrating a player of Williams’ caliber at this juncture gives them an even greater competitive edge.

Last season, Williams emerged as a bona fide superstar during the Thunder’s NBA Championship journey, highlighted by an unforgettable 40-point display in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. This performance validated the anticipation surrounding him since his rookie days. What added to the drama was the revelation that followed.

Williams had been battling a significant right wrist injury throughout the final regular season games and the entire postseason. He relied on injections to play and had to adapt his shooting form to cope with the pain, essentially modifying his shooting mechanics while competing at the highest levels.

Considering these circumstances, the Thunder’s cautious strategy for his return is understandable. Even without Williams, Oklahoma City has demonstrated dominance in the NBA’s early season, showcasing a historic net rating and point differential. They’ve established themselves as one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. With such performance levels, there’s no need to hasten Williams’ comeback.

Fans should prepare for a gradual reintroduction for Williams. Expecting restricted minutes or a lighter workload initially is reasonable. Integrating a player as pivotal and versatile as Williams may require an adjustment period. Although Williams is adaptable, capable of scoring at all three levels, facilitating, and defending, seamless chemistry doesn’t return overnight. The Thunder’s priority is ensuring his long-term health over immediate fireworks.

And that’s why fans should expect a measured ramp-up. A minutes restriction or lighter workload is realistic over the first few games. Integrating a player who is this important, this dynamic and this involved in the offense can naturally create an adjustment period. Even with someone as plug-and-play as Williams, who can score at all three levels, facilitate, defend and complement any lineup, chemistry doesn’t instantly snap back to perfection on day one. The Thunder will want him healthy long term, not just explosive in the moment.

Still, his return is massive. There have been several moments this season when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had to shoulder an enormous offensive burden without his top running mate. Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing at an MVP level again, but the Thunder’s offense always reaches a different gear when Williams is on the floor. His presence demands defensive attention, bends matchups and gives Oklahoma City a second elite option who can generate his own shot without disrupting the flow of the offense.

Defensively, he changes things too. Williams’ versatility allows the Thunder to toggle between different lineup combinations without sacrificing physicality or spacing. His strength, length, and instincts make him one of the most impactful wing defenders in the league, and his ability to guard multiple positions gives Mark Daigneault even more flexibility with the rotations as he gets another NBA All-Defensive Team member to leverage.

And the fascinating wrinkle to all of this is the fact that Williams spent the entire offseason developing his left hand. Because he couldn’t use his right wrist for months, he worked almost exclusively with his off hand. For a player who was already one of the more polished finishers and most ambidextrous scorers in the league, that forced development could actually unlock parts of his game that didn’t exist a year ago. There’s a very real chance he comes back not only healthy, but better.

So while it may take a few games for everything to fully click, the Thunder just added an All-NBA wing to a team that already looked like a juggernaut. Huge news for Oklahoma City as Jalen Williams officially rejoins the lineup Friday night.