Jalen Williams returns vs. 76ers after missing 16 games with hamstring strain

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams made his first appearance in over five weeks Monday when the Oklahoma City Thunder visited the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 24-year-old had missed Oklahoma City's last 16 contests because of a lingering hamstring strain. He started Monday's matchup and showed little rust two minutes in when he beat 76ers forward Justin Edwards with a left-handed layup off glass for his first bucket of the game.

He initially suffered the injury on Jan. 17 and sat out the Thunder's next 10 contests. Williams made his first return Feb. 9 and scored 23 points in 24 minutes, but he re-aggravated the strain two nights later and had not played since.

His return should give the defending NBA champions a boost heading into the postseason. Oklahoma City entered Monday sitting first in the Western Conference with a three-game lead on the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder have 10 games left in the regular season after facing the 76ers.

Williams, now in his fourth NBA season, played just 26 games prior to Monday due to both the hamstring strain and his recovery from offseason wrist surgery.

The 24-year-old has been effective when healthy, averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals this season.