Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren has been diagnosed with a right iliac wing fracture after a hard fall during the first quarter of the team’s loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, according to an announcement from the Thunder. An iliac wing fracture is a type of pelvic injury.
Although Holmgren is expected to return later in the 2024-25 season, he will be out for a while. The team plans to reassess his condition in eight to ten weeks.
Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury but played all 82 games last season. He expressed his feelings on Twitter, saying, “Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this, having been through something similar before. On one hand, I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is.
But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the wear it puts on your mind. Most of all, I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while.
Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there right now with real problems that don’t heal.”
Holmgren’s absence is a tough setback for a Thunder team that had been one of the best in the Western Conference this season, with a strong 8-1 start before their loss to the Warriors. Holmgren had been a major contributor, averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.
The Thunder signed center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency to help support Holmgren in the middle, but Hartenstein is also injured, having fractured his left hand during the preseason. Hartenstein is expected to be reevaluated soon, but his return is likely to come before Holmgren’s.
The team is also awaiting the return of Jaylin Williams, who has been out with a hamstring injury for nearly two weeks and is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks.
Until those players return, the Thunder will have to make do with smaller lineups. After Holmgren’s injury, players like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe joined the usual starters, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Jalen Williams, in the second half of the game. Forward Ousmane Dieng, who is 6’10”, may also see more playing time.
Head coach Mark Daigneault expressed confidence in his team, saying, “This is a resilient, tough, competitive, adaptive team. And that’s what we’re gonna be regardless of the circumstance.”
The team is also considering their options to bring in a veteran center on a temporary basis. Rookie forward Malevy Leons currently occupies the Thunder’s 15th roster spot on a non-guaranteed contract. If the team decides to make a move, Leons would be the most likely player to be released.
One potential option is 13-year veteran Bismack Biyombo, who spent part of last season with the Thunder and is available in free agency.
