Thunder Coach Optimistic About Jalen Williams' Return for NBA Finals Amid Injury Concerns Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expressed cautious optimism that Jalen Williams could be available for the NBA Finals if the team advances past the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. Daigneault stated that Williams did not experience a setback in his recovery from a left hamstring strain after playing in Game 6 of the series. The coach emphasized that Williams’ condition remained stable, and his potential availability for the Finals would depend on the outcome of Game 7. Williams, however, is already ruled out for Game 7, which is set for Saturday night. The 24-year-old forward struggled in his limited role during Game 6, logging just 10 minutes off the bench. His performance in the game raised concerns about his readiness to contribute in a critical matchup against the Spurs. Daigneault noted that Williams’ recovery process has been progressing as expected, with the coach describing his post-game exit as “pretty good” for his current stage of rehab. If the Thunder secure a victory in Game 7, the team will continue its rehabilitation plan for Williams, with Daigneault indicating they would follow the same protocol moving forward. The injury issues plaguing Williams have been a recurring theme throughout the 2023 playoffs. The forward missed significant time earlier in the season after undergoing surgery for a right wrist injury, which limited his availability during the regular season. His participation in the playoffs was further disrupted when he suffered a left hamstring strain in the second game of the postseason, forcing him to sit out six games before returning for Game 1 of the Spurs series.#san_antonio_spurs #oklahoma_city_thunder #jalen_williams #mark_daigneault #nba_finals
Mavericks Appoint Mike Schmitz as General Manager Under Masai Ujiri The Dallas Mavericks have officially announced the hiring of Mike Schmitz as their new general manager, placing him under the leadership of team president Masai Ujiri. This move marks one of Ujiri’s first major decisions since joining the franchise as team president and alternate governor last week. Schmitz, a former assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers, will oversee the Mavericks’ day-to-day basketball operations, including scouting, player personnel, strategic planning, and cross-departmental collaboration. Schmitz’s career prior to his Mavericks role includes a stint as a draft analyst for ESPN from 2017 to 2022, during which he provided insights on player evaluations and draft prospects. He joined the Blazers’ front office in May 2022, bringing his expertise in basketball analytics and personnel decisions to the organization. Ujiri praised Schmitz’s qualifications, calling him “one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA.” The team president highlighted Schmitz’s attributes, including his intelligence, discipline, humility, and work ethic, as well as his ability to foster a collaborative culture within the organization. The Mavericks’ leadership transition follows the firing of previous general manager Nico Harrison in November 2025. Harrison’s departure came after the team struggled to a 3-8 start to the season, a performance that intensified fan frustration. The turmoil was exacerbated by the controversial trade of perennial All-NBA selection Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025. This trade, which occurred just months after the Mavericks’ historic 2024 NBA Finals appearance, sparked widespread backlash from fans and analysts alike.#luka_doncic #dallas_mavericks #mike_schmitz #masai_ujiri #nba_finals
