OKC can't catch a break: another star injured and will be out for two months

Oklahoma City Thunder has received another worrying piece of news with the injury of Chet Holmgren. The franchise's starting center will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks due to a small tear in the patellar tendon of his right knee, as confirmed by the team on Friday night. His absence is another setback for the reigning NBA champions, who lose another one of their starters following the physical issues suffered earlier this week by Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.

Holmgren's injury turns these last few days into a genuine nightmare for Oklahoma City. The big man is the third starter to be ruled out for an extended period, after Williams suffered a fibula fracture and an ankle dislocation and Wallace dealt with a labrum tear. These three significant losses will force the team to reorganize its rotation over the coming weeks.

A small tear in the patellar tendon forces Holmgren to stop

According to the franchise, Holmgren began feeling slight discomfort in his right knee last Sunday. The player subsequently consulted several specialists to assess the problem and determine the most appropriate treatment.

The injury occurred on the same day that Williams and Wallace suffered their respective setbacks during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, in Holmgren's case, the team opted to perform a biological treatment on Friday to address what it described in its statement as a “small” tear in the patellar tendon.

The estimated recovery period set by the Thunder is between eight and ten weeks. This is a considerable timeframe that will prevent Holmgren from helping his teammates during a significant part of the season, although the team has not provided further details on his progress after the treatment.

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The third major injury of Holmgren since joining the NBA

This setback marks another complicated episode in the big man's career, who was selected by Oklahoma City with the second pick in the 2022 draft. Since arriving in the NBA, Holmgren has already faced two other significant injuries that affected his availability.

The first occurred just a few weeks after he was drafted, when he suffered a foot fracture that forced him to miss the entire 2022-23 season. Later, during the 2024-25 season, a pelvic fracture kept him off the court for several months.

Despite that second setback, Holmgren managed to return in time to play an important role in the Thunder's championship run. His defensive impact and ability to protect the rim were crucial for the team, which now loses one of its most important players again.

Last season was particularly positive for Holmgren on an individual level. The center averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, figures that were complemented by his inclusion in the NBA’s first defensive team and the third-best team in the league. His importance to Oklahoma City went far beyond scoring, thanks to his ability to protect the paint and disrupt opposing offenses.

The Thunder lose three starters in the same week

Holmgren's absence exacerbates a situation that was already complicated for Oklahoma City. The team had previously confirmed the injuries of Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, two players who will also have to remain off the court for an extended period.

Williams suffered a fibula fracture and an ankle dislocation during the game against the Clippers and underwent surgery on Wednesday. The franchise indicated that he will be reevaluated before the end of the regular season, without providing a specific return date for now.

Wallace, for his part, also underwent surgery on Friday to address the labrum tear. Like Williams, he will be reevaluated before the regular season concludes.

The accumulation of physical problems represents a significant challenge for the Thunder, who lose three starters at once. Holmgren's situation adds even more difficulties to a rotation that will already have to adapt to the absences of Williams and Wallace.

Oklahoma City will have to face the coming weeks without three important pieces of its structure while hoping that treatments and surgeries will allow their players to gradually return. The priority will be to avoid further setbacks and ensure that the injured players can come back in suitable conditions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, OKC no levanta cabeza: otra estrella cae lesionada y estará dos meses fuera