Jalen Williams returned to the Oklahoma City Thunder's starting lineup in the Thunder's 123-119 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

It’s official: Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams is back.

Jalen Williams has yet to play a game this season for the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, but the main effect of his absence became official on Sunday. After missing the Thunder's first 18 games of the season, Williams is no longer eligible for end-of-season honors under the NBA’s new 65-game minimum rule.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/thunder/onsi as Jalen Williams' Return Could Boost Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP Case. Oklahoma City’s second star made his return, and the MVP might be able to bolster his case to go back-to-back because of it.

Jalen Williams’ prolonged wrist injury has cost him postseason award eligibility and a lucrative supermax salary bump as Oklahoma City maintains a cautious approach to player health.