The Oklahoma City Thunder were dealt a serious injury blow 10 games into the season.
After getting out to a hot start, Oklahoma City will be without rising star Chet Holmgren for an extended time. Holmgren suffered a rare hip injury during the Thunder’s home loss to the Warriors on Nov. 10.
The injury is especially disheartening considering Holmgren appeared in all 82 regular season games during his rookie season and was taking a major leap in his second season on an NBA floor. In the nine games before his injury, Holmgren averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.9 blocks, firmly placing himself in Defensive Player of the Year conversations.
What is Holmgren’s rare injury and how much time will he miss? Here is what to know about the big man’s status moving forward.
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What is Chet Holmgren’s injury?
Holmgren’s injury is a right iliac wing fracture, a rare injury that occurs in the hip.
Holmren suffered the injury early in the first quarter of Oklahoma City’s meeting with Golden State on Nov. 10. He fell directly on his hip after contesting a layup from Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins.
Here is the play:
Chet Holmgren was injured and had to be helped off the court after contesting an Andrew Wiggins layup pic.twitter.com/uC8qms9MQI
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 11, 2024
Holmgren was helped off the floor and did not return to the game. He later shared a heartfelt update on how he was feeling.
Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before. On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the…
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) November 11, 2024
How long will Chet Holmgren be out?
The Thunder announced that an update on Holmgren’s return-to-play protocol will be provided in 8-10 weeks.
While the injury is not season-ending, Holmgren will not begin his return-to-play process until early January at the earliest.
In Holmgren’s absence, OKC has remained near the top of the Western Conference thanks to Isaiah Hartenstein’s return to the lineup.
The Thunder will hope to return Holmgren to the lineup in time to develop chemistry between the two big men.
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Thunder schedule 2024-25
Here are the upcoming games on Oklahoma City’s schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 10 | vs. Mavericks | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 13/14 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 19 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 20 | at Heat | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Wizards | 8 p.m. | — |
Chet Holmgren stats 2024-25
- 16.4 points per game
- 8.7 rebounds per game
- 2.0 assists per game
- 0.8 steals per game
- 2.6 blocks per game
- 50.5 percent field goal shooting
- 37.8 percent 3-point shooting
- 77.6 percent free throw shooting
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