OKLAHOMA CITY -- Making his long-awaited season debut, Jalen Williams had 11 points and eight assists in his return from wrist surgery, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-119 on Friday night to reach the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

Williams played 29 minutes and made 3 of 12 shots to help the defending champion Thunder win their 11th straight and become the fifth team in NBA history to start 19-1. They finished 4-0 in West Group A.

The All-Star guard/forward had surgery in July to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist and a follow-up procedure to remove a screw that was causing irritation.

"The goal for tonight was to get in a rhythm, but it's an adjustment," Williams said. "Game 7 was, what, five months ago? Almost six. Trying to adjust to t

See Full Page