Chet Holmgren’s injury is a serious blow to the Thunder, especially given how well he’s been playing this season. But now he’s out for at least 8-to-10 weeks with a pelvic fracture, as relayed by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, via the team.
The young big man was thriving, averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks, and had quickly become a centerpiece of the Thunder’s defense. His 26 blocks were second in the league, behind only Victor Wembanyama.
So, to see him go down with a pelvic fracture — an injury sustained while trying to challenge an Andrew Wiggins drive — was a painful sight for Oklahoma City fans. Holmgren didn’t even put weight on his right leg as he limped off the court, an ominous sign for his recovery.
This marks Holmgren’s second major injury in just two seasons. After missing his entire rookie year with a Lisfranc injury, the Thunder were excited to see him finally suit up and show why he was the No. 2 pick in 2022. Now, it’s another setback, though the team remains hopeful.
The diagnosis of a right iliac wing fracture doesn’t rule out a return this season, and that’s something to hang onto.
The Thunder, though, won’t sit back and sulk. As Jalen Williams noted, they’ve adapted before.
“It’s not the first time that we have done it,” Williams said. “So looking forward to the challenge on that.”
Without Holmgren, they’ll have to make do with small lineups, and their depth will be tested even further, especially with Isaiah Hartenstein still sidelined. But if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s resilience. Oklahoma City is 8-2, and despite the tough loss to the Warriors, they still have the talent to stay competitive until Holmgren’s return.
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