There’s a station outside of Section 118 at Paycom Center where fans can create their own signs. It’s stocked with markers and stencils, including the outline of the No. 8 — Jalen Williams‘ number — in Thunder typeface.
Maverick Wagner, wearing a sunset J-Dub jersey, was coloring in his No. 8 sign with yellow and orange before the Thunder-Suns game Monday night.
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“This is my favorite,” the young fan said, pointing to the No. 2 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), “and this is my second favorite,” he said, pointing to J-Dub’s No. 8.
Next to him, Cindy Boevers wrote a message on her sign: “Win for J-Dub.”
Monday night’s proceedings in Oklahoma City felt less like a basketball game and more like a giant get-well-soon-gathering for Jalen Williams, who 24 hours before had suffered a devastating leg injury. And that was only the half of it.
Before tip-off Monday, Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced that Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in his left leg.
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And, in the same cursed game against the Clippers, Cason Wallace tore the labrum in his left shoulder.
CARLSON: OKC Thunder now mortal after losing Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams to injuries
“He’s a total warrior and probably would have gone back in the game if we let him,” Presti said of Wallace.
Both Thunder starters, Presti said, will undergo surgery. Presti didn’t disclose timelines for the injuries — those will come after the surgeries — but both could require months of recovery. And they might be season-ending.
It was a brutal combination of bad news for a Thunder team that looked like a lock to make its third consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance and was aiming for its second NBA title in three years.
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Those hopes aren’t completely dashed, but they’ve been severely diminished.
Oct. 25, 2026, could end up rivaling July 4, 2016, as days in Thunder infamy.
Where the Thunder goes from here is a concern for tomorrow. Everyone from Presti to the patrons in Loud City were still in the grieving stage Monday. Focused more on the humans than the basketball of it all.
“These types of situations are where you really see the connection between a team and a group of athletes,” Presti said. “I’m very confident that as we take the next steps, we’re going to learn a lot about each other. We’re going to learn a lot about our community, but I know how that’s going to end up. It’s going to be a continuous love affair.”
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MUSSATTO: OKC Thunder remains NBA title team despite losing Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams
Williams has always been a fan favorite. Whereas Wallace is as reserved as he is dogged, Williams is always performing. The court is his stage.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt called on fans to wear their No. 8 jerseys Monday night. As if said fans needed encouragement.
The arena was filled with blue, white and orange No. 8 jerseys. Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein wore Williams’ jersey to the game.
“He’s been working so hard to get back at it,” said Stephanie Mathis, who was in her No. 8 jersey. “We got him on and off last year, and to have this happen right at the beginning of the season, it’s really heartbreaking. I think all of us out here are devastated for him. We just want to show our support and let him know that we love him.”
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Lisa Lawson wore a white cap with oversized blue letters that spelled out “JDUB.”
“He’s fun to watch, he’s energetic, he’s got that childlike (demeanor),” Lawson said.
He’s Angela Preston’s favorite player.
Why?
“I just love him,” she said.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder fans show love for injured stars Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace on somber night
