OKC's Holmgren Out Indefinitely with Pelvic Fracture Following Hard Fall
Promising Rookie's Season Cut Short by Serious Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season after suffering a pelvic fracture, the team announced Tuesday. The 20-year-old sustained the injury during a Pro-Am game in Seattle on Saturday.
Holmgren was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and was expected to be a key contributor for the Thunder this season. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 10.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in four Summer League games.
Details of the Injury
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Holmgren suffered a "Jones fracture," which is a break in the fifth metatarsal bone in the foot. This type of injury typically requires surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
The Thunder have not yet announced a timeline for Holmgren's return, but it is likely that he will miss the entire season. This is a major blow to the Thunder, who are counting on Holmgren to be a franchise cornerstone.
Holmgren is the second high-profile NBA player to suffer a serious injury this offseason. New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Impact on the Thunder
Holmgren's absence will be a major challenge for the Thunder, who are already rebuilding after trading away several key players in recent years. The team is expected to start the season with a young and inexperienced lineup.
The Thunder are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is one of the most promising young players in the league. However, Gilgeous-Alexander will need help from his supporting cast if the Thunder are going to compete for a playoff spot this season.
The Thunder have several other young players who could step up in Holmgren's absence, including Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Darius Bazley.
- Giddey is a 6-foot-8 point guard who averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game last season.
- Williams is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who averaged 11.4 points per game in the G League last season.
- Bazley is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season.
The Thunder will also be counting on veteran center Mike Muscala to provide leadership and stability.
Despite the loss of Holmgren, the Thunder are still hoping to make the playoffs this season. The team has a lot of young talent, and they are hoping that their players can develop quickly and help them compete for a playoff spot.
