Williams' 2025-26 season was a lost year defined almost entirely by injuries. After winning his first title, earning his first All-Star nod and collecting All-NBA Third-Team and All-Defensive Second-Team honors in 2024-25 (21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals over 69 games), he underwent July 1 surgery on a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, then required a follow-up procedure in late October to remove a screw. That delayed his debut until Nov. 28, and he never got fully on track. A right hamstring strain cost him 10 games in January, and after re-aggravating it Feb. 11, he missed another 16 straight, limiting him to just 33 regular-season appearances. His efficiency cratered, particularly from deep, where he shot a career-low 29.9 percent, and his averages dipped to 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists. The playoffs brought more of the same. A Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Round 1 lingered into the Western Conference Finals, holding him to five postseason games and a hobbled 10-minute cameo before he was ruled out for Game 7. Williams has flashed second-round upside when healthy as OKC's No. 2 behind Gilgeous-Alexander. Even at full strength, OKC's absurd depth and frequent blowouts can cap his minutes. As a result, he's settling in as a third-round option.