A brutal week for the league’s preseason favorites has taken another painful turn.
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Friday that Chet Holmgren will miss eight to 10 weeks after undergoing a biological treatment on a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee, according to the team’s medical update. The Chet Holmgren injury surfaced after he reported mild knee discomfort last week, and he had already sat out two games with patellar tendinitis.
The timeline points to a return in late December or early January.
Wallace and Williams Also Sidelined
The same update confirmed that Cason Wallace had surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated before the end of the season. The injury came just a week after he signed a five-year, $139 million extension.
Jalen Williams also had surgery this week to repair a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, and he will be re-evaluated before the regular season ends. Holmgren, Wallace and Williams were all hurt on the same day, and key reserve Alex Caruso sprained his ankle the next day.
Head coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged after Sunday’s win that the team was struggling and that the setbacks had been hard on his players.
Who Steps Up for Oklahoma City
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece, but the Thunder must now cover for three starters and a top reserve. Jared McCain, acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in February, Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams have moved into the starting lineup. Mitchell scored 29 points in Wednesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Oklahoma City entered the season first in the preseason NBA power rankings, but the Chet Holmgren injury will put that status to a serious test.
