Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren had to be helped off the court after a hard fall in the lane against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. The team later announced that he suffered a right iliac wing fracture and a return-to-play protocol will be provided in eight to 10 weeks.
Holmgren, not even halfway through the first quarter of their 127-116 loss to the Warriors at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, went up to contest a layup by Andrew Wiggins on the baseline. After he made contact with Wiggins, Holmgren landed hard squarely on his right hip under the basket.
Wiggins made the run-in and didn’t draw foul, but Holmgren remained under the ring in pain for quite some time before he was eventually helped back to the locker room. Holmgren struggled to put any weight on his right leg as he left the court.
Concern here in OKC: Chet Holmgren took a shot to the sideline defending Andrew Wiggins first quarter punt. Just needed help getting to the dressing room. Did not put weight on right leg. Seemed to be catching hip/oblique area when he was on the ground. pic.twitter.com/ZGF3mCwqmG
– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 11, 2024
Holmgren, whom the Thunder selected with the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 out of Gonzaga, missed his entire first season in the league with a foot injury he suffered in a pro-am game. He averaged 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season, his first true year in the league, helping Oklahoma City to its first playoff appearance since 2020.
Holmgren entered Sunday’s game averaging 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in nine games this season. He had no points and four rebounds on Sunday when he was injured and will now miss much of the season again.
“Can’t say if I feel better or worse about having been through something like this before,” Holmgren wrote on Twitter early Monday morning. “On the 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 felt the frustration of this process, and the wear and tear it puts on. your mind Mostly I’m hurt , I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while.”
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points and seven assists in the win while draining seven 3-pointers. The loss dropped Oklahoma City into a first-place tie atop the Western Conference with Phoenix and Golden State.
Backup center Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s $87 million free agent acquisition, has yet to play after suffering a broken hand in the preseason. He could return later this month and will play a huge role until Holmgren recovers.
“Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for rings, is a big part of my passion to come back,” Holmgren continued on Twitter. “Don’t pity me or feel bad, there are a lot of people out there with real problems that won’t heal. Anyway, sorry for my rambling just wanted to address our okc fans and family. Thoughts from the hospital bed.”
