On September 30, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced that forward Kenrich Williams had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The specific recovery time will be announced after the surgery.

Williams, 30 , has been plagued by injuries over the past few seasons. This surgery is undoubtedly another setback to his preparations. As a reliable role player in the Oklahoma City Thunder's lineup, he has been a key piece for the team over the past five seasons. Last season, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and won the NBA championship with the team.

The Thunder will open the new season against the Houston Rockets on October 21st, which means he has less than a month to recover. If his injury heals smoothly, he may still have a chance to catch the start of the season; otherwise, the team will need to fill the gap through rotation.

While Williams's impact cannot be ignored, the Thunder have ample depth. Whether or not he plays in the opening game, the team has other players who can fill his playing time. For the Thunder, it's more important to ensure Williams returns healthy so he can continue to contribute consistently throughout the long season.