All-Star big man Chet Holmgren On Friday, he underwent biological treatment to repair a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee. Thunder announced in a press release.
Holmgren is expected to make a full recovery and return to action in about eight to 10 weeks, according to the team.
Holmgren earned multiple honors last season, including third-team All-NBA and first-team All-Defense, while averaging 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks on .557/.362/.792 shooting in 69 regular season games (28.9 minutes per game). He took second place Victor Wembanyama in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Holmgren began experiencing knee discomfort on Oct. 25, according to a statement from the Thunder. The team lost on the same day Jalen Williams to a fractured left fibula and sprained anklewhat an injury surgery is required on Wednesday.
They also lost the General Defense Guard Cason Wallace to a torn labrum in his left shoulder in that Oct. 25 win over the Clippers. Wallace underwent surgery on Friday to repair the injury and, like Williams, will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season, according to the Thunder.
It’s a brutal turn of events for the 2025 champions, who have won the league’s most regular-season games each of the last two seasons. Williams and Holmgren are both in the first year of five-year rookie cap extensions, while Wallace recently signed a five-year, $139 million rookie cap extension that kicks in next season.
If Holmgren is able to return in exactly eight weeks, he would theoretically be back in action on Dec. 25 in Minnesota. The 10-week recovery period could stretch to January 7th or 10th.
In addition to Williams, Wallace and Holmgren, Oklahoma City played without Nikola Tema (lower back surgery) and Thomas Sorber (right knee surgery) to open the season. The team also lost in the second round Atega Owe before tearing his Achilles tendon during the preseason (he was later waived to make room for Micah Peavy) and Alex Caruso sprained his ankle recently, leaving the Thunder with few health options.
The Thunder, who are above the first tax apron, are reportedly looking to sign the swingman Broken black to fill their 15th spot on the roster. Taking that 15th spot would give Oklahoma City more flexibility to use two-way players and allow the team to apply for difficulty exception to potentially add additional reinforcements to the 10-day trades. Now that Holmgren is out in a few weeks, it’s much more likely that a hardship exception will be granted.
Of course, the Thunder operate well above the luxury tax line, so any standard additions to the roster, including Agbaji, will increase their projected value. But the club still has plenty of breathing room below the second tax bracket and can make small moves without being in danger of going over that threshold.
Kenrich Williams, Jaylin Williams and Marr’s candidate are among the frontcourt options who are candidates for more playing time and more responsibilities in Holmgren’s absence.
