Thunder’s Jaylin Williams Injured, Lakers Prepare for Upcoming Game

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 13, 2025 — Jaylin Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder sustained an ankle injury during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com. Williams appeared to twist his ankle during the game’s opening seconds but initially continued to play until being replaced at the 9:44 mark of the first quarter.

Following the injury, Williams returned to the locker room, leaving his status for future games uncertain. If he is unable to return, Branden Carlson is expected to see a significant increase in playing time as the Thunder prepare for their upcoming match against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Thunder are currently in the midst of a season characterized by strong performance, holding a record of 64-14, but have recently entered their second two-game losing streak. In their last outing, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 26 points, though other players struggled to contribute effectively.

Meanwhile, the Lakers stand at 48-30, riding a two-game winning streak as they gear up for the playoffs. Luka Doncic starred with 30 points in the Lakers’ last game, maintaining a high level of competition just before the postseason.

The Thunder’s upcoming game against the Lakers will be very much anticipated, as it marks the third meeting between the two teams this season; they have split the first two matchups. This game is set to air on the FanDuel Sports Network at 7 p.m. CT.

Player statuses for the upcoming game are in flux. For the Thunder, Williams is listed as questionable, while Ousmane Dieng (calf strain), Ajay Mitchell (toe sprain), Nikola Topic (torn ACL), and Alex Ducas (quad strain) are ruled out. The Lakers face potential absences as well, with LeBron James (groin strain), Luka Doncic (groin strain), Austin Reaves (ankle sprain), and several others listed as questionable or out.

As analysts weigh the matchup, some are predicting that the Lakers may opt to conserve energy, given that they have a back-to-back scheduled that includes a game against the Dallas Mavericks. This could potentially lead to a favorable outcome for the Thunder against a depleted Lakers squad.

Betting odds currently project the Thunder as favored by 13.5 points, with an over/under set at 225.5 according to BetMGM. Experts encourage wagering responsibly, highlighting the risks involved in betting and the necessity for individuals to only use disposable income for such activities.