thunder big man Chet Holmgren He was diagnosed with a right iliac fracture after falling badly in the first quarter of the team's loss to Golden State on Sunday (Video link), Oklahoma City announced in a press release (Twitter link via Rylan Stiles of SI.com). A pelvic wing fracture is a type of pelvic fracture.
Although the Thunder say Holmgren is expected to return to action later in the 2024-25 season, he will be out for an extended period of time. According to the club, the plan is to re-evaluate him in eight to ten weeks.
Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft, missed his entire rookie season due to a Foot injurywas then used in all 82 regular season games in the 2023/24 season.
“I can’t say if it makes me feel better or worse because I’ve been through something similar before.” Holmgren wrote on Twitter. “On the one hand, I know how to approach it, I know what to do and what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand, I have felt the frustration of this process and the strain it brings on the mind.
“What hurts me the most is that I won’t be able to help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while. Everyone who stays loyal to me and our team, along with my need for baskets, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t feel sorry for me or feel bad, there are a lot of people right now with real problems that aren’t healing.”
Holmgren's injury is a blow to a Thunder team that entered the season as favorites for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and had lived up to expectations this fall by winning eight of its first nine games before falling to the Warriors on Sunday .
Holmgren, last year's rookie of the Year runner-up, was instrumental in that early success, averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game in nine games, with one score of .519/.400/. 776 firing line.
The Thunder signed center Isaiah Hartenstein free agency in the summer to bolster their frontcourt and help out Holmgren at center, but Hartenstein has been sidelined in recent weeks with an injury of his own broke his left hand during the preseason.
Oklahoma City announced nearly four weeks ago that Hartenstein would be reevaluated in five to six weeks, so the review will take place soon. While there are no signs that his return is imminent, it looks like he should be back on the court long before Holmgren.
The Thunder have also been waiting for the big man Jaylin Williamswho went down with one Strain of the thigh muscles almost two weeks ago. He is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks.
Until the Thunder get Hartenstein and Williams back, the team will have to rely on smaller lineups, as was the case Sunday following Holmgren's departure. Aaron Wiggins And Isaiah Joe opened the second half along with the usual starters Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Luguentz thereAnd Jalen Williams. Ousmane Dienga 1.90 meter tall striker is also a candidate for a larger role.
“This is a resilient, strong, competitive and adaptable team” Head coach Mark Daigneault said after the game, per The athlete. “And we will be, regardless of the circumstances.”
This rookie striker is worth mentioning Malevy Leons currently holds the Thunder's 15th roster spot on a non-guaranteed deal. If the team wants to establish a temporary veteran center, he would be the most likely candidate for release. As Michael Scotto of HoopsHype points out (via Twitter), 13-year-old veterinarian Bismack Biyombo – who spent part of last season with OKC, is among the top options available in free agency.
