OKLAHOMA CITY — For the first time in two years, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams is healthy for training camp. After missing most of last season with wrist and hamstring injuries, Williams returns ahead of the 2026-27 season as the Thunder look to return to the NBA Finals. The journey, as it is for every NBA team, starts in camp.

When a reporter asked Williams his favorite part of Thunder training camp thus far, his answer didn’t surprise anyone.

“That I get to do it,” Williams said. “I didn’t get to do training camp last year. So, that’s been my favorite part: just being a part of training camp.”

As for early goals amid the first two days of training camp, getting back to the basics has been key for Williams, who talked about the importance of finding continuity early.

“Honestly, just getting in shape, like in-season shape, as close as we can, is going to be a big one,” Williams said. “We basically have the same squad. I don’t want to say the same schemes, but we want to, obviously, play pretty close to the same. So, it’s just really getting rhythm back more than anything. Get reps playing with each other.”

After Jalen Williams’ breakout season in 2024-25, when he helped lead the Thunder to their first championship in franchise history, Jalen also earned his first All-Star nod along with All-Defensive Second Team and All-NBA Third Team honors.

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Williams also recorded a playoff career-high 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, giving the Thunder a pivotal 3-2 lead before they clinched the series, 4-3, against the Indiana Pacers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander warns NBA of Thunder’s Jalen Williams

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reminded the league of Jalen Williams’ return during Media Day. Gilgeous-Alexander can’t wait to share the floor with Williams this upcoming season.

“We’ll have an All-NBA talent who puts the ball in the basket and guards 1 through 5. So, that’ll make life easier for not only myself, but the rest of the group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Above all, I’m just excited for Dub to be able to play. Injuries suck, obviously. It’s hard to have the game taken from you like that, especially when you work so hard. I’m excited for him to be able to play. He loves playing basketball. So, just that part of his life coming back will be exciting for him.”

The Thunder will host the Pelicans in their first preseason matchup on October 6.