Holmgren's hip setback spells potential trouble for the Thunder's season
Update: Thunder center Chet Holmgren sustained a fractured hip after tonight’s hard fall, the team confirmed. Although he’s expected to return this season, a lengthy recovery period lies ahead. The team plans to release a return-to-play protocol in 8 to 10 weeks, via Anthony Slater.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star, Chet Holmgren, needed assistance off the court following a tough fall during Sunday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
Just minutes into the first quarter of their 127-116 loss at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Holmgren leaped to challenge an Andrew Wiggins layup from the baseline. As he made contact with Wiggins, Holmgren took a hard fall, landing directly on his right hip beneath the basket.
Though Wiggins made the layup without drawing a foul, Holmgren stayed down in visible pain, needing support to make it back to the locker room. As he exited, he appeared to struggle with any weight on his right leg.
“Concern here in OKc: Chet Holmgren took a shot to the side while defending an Andrew Wiggins first quarter layup. Just needed help getting to the locker room. Wasn’t putting weight on right leg. Appeared to be grabbing hip/oblique area when he was on the ground” — via Anthony Slater.
By halftime, the Thunder ruled Holmgren out due to a hip injury. He left with four rebounds and a 0-for-3 shooting record. The extent of his injury remains uncertain.
Holmgren, last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up, has proven to be one of the NBA’s most efficient players this season. Entering Sunday’s game, he held impressive averages: 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks, shooting 51.9% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Holmgren second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, but a Lisfranc injury in his right foot sidelined him for the entire 2022-23 season.
He made a strong return the following season, playing all 92 games for OKC, including the playoffs, and securing second place in Rookie of the Year voting with averages of 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Already shorthanded in the center position, OKC is dealing with multiple injuries. Besides Holmgren, the Thunder are missing Isaiah Hartenstein (left hand fracture), Jaylin Williams (right hamstring strain), and Kenrich Williams (right knee surgery).
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