Oklahoma City Thunder will be without center-forward Chet Holmgren for at least eight to 10 weeks after he suffered an injury during their 127-116 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The team announced after the game that Holmgren sustained a right iliac wing fracture in his pelvis during the first quarter at Paycom Center.
The 22-year-old, in his second year, contested a layup by Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins, colliding with him before falling hard to the floor.
Holmgren held onto his right hip after the collision and needed help to get off the court. Before his departure, the Thunder led 16-12 but eventually trailed the Warriors by 30 points in the third quarter.
Per the Thunder, Chet Holmgren suffered a right iliac wing fracture on Sunday night. He’s expected to return this season, and a status update will be provided in 8-10 weeks. pic.twitter.com/Eqeu2IRS9h
— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) November 11, 2024
The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, while shooting 50.5% from the floor in 26.5 minutes per game.
Holmgren, who made the All-Rookie Team last season, currently sits third in the NBA for blocks per game, behind San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (4.0 bpg) and Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler (2.8). He has also recorded four double-doubles this season.
Although the Minnesota native is expected to return this season, his injury opens a big hole in the Thunder, who are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, as they are also without forward-center Jaylin Williams (right hamstring) and guard-forward Kenrich Williams (right knee).
Oklahoma (8-2) dropped to third in the Western Conference, and their defeat to the Warriors was their second in three games, having initially opened the season with a 7-0 record.
