There were indications that Chet Holmgren was going to avoid the proverbial sophomore slump.
The 16.4 points (on 50.5/37.8/77.6 shooting splits), 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks Holmgren averaged through 10 games were at par with his “rookie” averages and he was looking more comfortable with each passing game.
However, the injury bug struck.
It was supposed to be a normal basketball play that the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft had done many times in his career. A contest was either going to end up with a defensive stop or a foul, yet the outcome was much worse for Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be without one of their franchise cornerstones for at least two months. The 22-year old seemed to be generally optimistic as can be, to the point that he was still thinking about the play itself from a basketball perspective.
While Holmgren’s injury history may raise concerns within the Thunder’s fan base, it looks like he is well past the Lisfranc injury to his right foot. Meanwhile, Holmgren’s right iliac hip fracture seems to be more of a freak injury than a symptom to a chronic concern. After all, he played 82 games in 2023-2024 and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
Holmgren is the latest in a string of NBA players suffering a variety of injuries. Kevin Durant, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, and Jimmy Butler are just some of the players sidelined for an extended period of time. And the list will likely see new names as the season progresses.
Within OKC, though, it creates a gaping hole at center, as the Thunder are already without Isaiah Hartenstein (left hand fracture) and Jaylin Williams (right hamstring strain). Both could be back in a few weeks, but they’ll need time to get into game shape.
At the moment, OKC is at the top of the Western Conference at 9-2 and with the way Shai Gilegeous-Alexander and the Thunder handled the Los Angeles Clippers, it may take Herculean efforts from the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort to keep the ship steady.
OKC will have tougher times against teams with deep and talented frontcourts, and Ivica Zubac’s 22-point, 14-rebound, and three-block night was an indication of such. The San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings could pose challenges that might test the strength of their roster in the coming days and weeks.
Chet Holmgren will definitely miss playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but given the Thunder’s lack of centers, it’s likely that OKC will miss him more. There is optimism that he will be back this season, but the hope is that he returns in the best shape and at the right time.
