Thunder's Chet Holmgren Out For Multiple Months With Hip Injury

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 10: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors collides with ... [+] Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder going to the basket during the first half at Paycom Center on November 10, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Despite an 8-2 start to the season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the first half of the 2024-25 campaign is shaping up to be a difficult road. The team came into the season with injuries to three players who were set to log minutes at the center position, most notably Isaiah Hartenstein.

But now Oklahoma City will be without its starting center for at least two months, as Chet Holmgren suffered a significant injury on Sunday night. While contesting an Andrew Wiggins attempt at the rim early in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors, Holmgren came down hard and landed on his right hip. From there, he had to be helped off the floor by teammates since he wasn’t able to put weight on his right leg.

Several hours after the game, the Thunder announced that the rising star had sustained a right iliac wing fracture, but is expected to return during the 2024-25 season. An update on his return-to-play protocol will be provided in eight to ten weeks, meaning there likely won’t be more information on his potential return until February at the earliest.

Again, the expectation is that the evaluation and announcement of a return-to-play plan will take place during that timeframe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s when he is expecting to return. There’s a real chance he doesn’t take the floor again until after the NBA All-Star Break, or even early March.

Nonetheless, what’s most important is that he makes a return with enough time to get his legs under him and get in shape before the playoffs. If he’s able to do that, this Thunder team is talented enough to remain one of the better teams in the Western Conference.

Holmgren’s injury now makes the acquisition of Isaiah Hartenstein this summer even more important. While he’s still out with a hand injury for a few more weeks, he will assume the starting center position upon his return. He’s a starting-caliber big in this league who can ensure the Thunder is still a very good team on both ends.

But in the meantime, OKC is in a tough spot. Not only is the Thunder without Holmgren and Hartenstein, but the roster is also missing Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams who both would normally step up in this scenario to play center minutes. They’re injured as well, with no known imminent return slated.

As such, expect Oklahoma City to lean even further into small lineups. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Thunder start five guards for the next few weeks. In fact, there’s not much of an option, unless coach Mark Daigneault opts to insert someone like Ousmane Dieng or Dillon Jones into the starting lineup, though neither of them are natural centers either. Regardless, Oklahoma City has the tools to play in unorthodox ways while being effective until Hartenstein gets back to full health.

Holmgren is in good spirits despite this being his second significant injury in the past few years. He already missed his entire first NBA season and will now miss multiple months after playing all 82 regular season games in the 2023-24 campaign.

The pathway to being the top seed in the Western Conference just got much more difficult for Oklahoma City, but this season certainly isn’t a loss. Assuming the rest of the roster can stay somewhat healthy and Holmgren can return in a reasonable timeframe based on what we know today, the Thunder is still primed to be a major threat in the playoffs and a true contender.