The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an exciting season, holding a record of 12-4 and sitting second in the Western Conference. Still, they hit a significant snag earlier this month when their star center, Chet Holmgren, suffered a serious hip injury. At just 22, Holmgren has been a massive part of OKC’s early success, so losing him has raised questions about how the team can keep up its momentum in the stacked Western Conference. With his recovery possibly stretching past the All-Star break, how the Thunder manages this rough patch will be something to watch closely.
Head coach Mark Daigneault recently gave an update on Holmgren’s situation. “He’s immobile right now, and he’s not doing very much. He’s probably bored,” Daigneault said. After the injury, Holmgren spent a few days stuck in bed and has only recently started moving around on crutches. While seeing him back at practice gave the team a little hope, the Thunder are being extremely cautious. They plan to check his progress again in 6-8 weeks.
Holmgren’s hip fracture has left a noticeable gap in OKC’s frontcourt. Nevertheless, the Thunder have managed to hold onto the league’s best defensive and second-best net ratings as they try to push through without him.
The Replacement Of Chet Holmgren
Without Holmgren, OKC has had to make some quick adjustments. At first, they went small, with 6-foot-6 Jalen Williams stepping in as center. That worked okay for a bit—they went 3-2 after Holmgren’s injury—but size was an issue. Then came Isaiah Hartenstein, a 7-footer the Thunder picked up in the offseason, who just made his debut.
And what a debut it was. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Hartenstein came off the bench and showed he could make an impact immediately, putting up 13 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. He’s not the pretty all-around force Holmgren is, but his rim protection and playmaking have been a massive boost for the team.
Hartenstein’s performance will be crucial in the upcoming games against the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Holmgren’s return may certainly change everything for OKC this season; however, they have to try their best to maintain their position at the top of the Western Conference until their young star returns.
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