The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, and they’ve managed to stay at the top of the Western Conference standings despite dealing with injuries to some of their essential players. With a 32-6 record, the team is demonstrating its depth and dominance. However, fans are still anxiously waiting for an update on Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s promising young center, who’s been out since November.
Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has had a rocky start to his career. After missing all of his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury, he played all 82 regular-season games last season for the Thunder. Holmgren got off to a strong start this year, as he averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks over 10 games.
But in a game against the Warriors on November 10th, Holmgren suffered a pelvic fracture after a hard fall while attempting to block a shot. The injury was expected to keep him out for 8–10 weeks. Even with Holmgren sidelined, the Thunder have been dominant, leading the league defensively and continuing to rack up wins.
In Holmgren’s absence, the team hasn’t missed a step. Over their last 10 games, they’ve gone 9-1, allowing just 103.4 points per game while averaging 118.9 points on offense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing at an MVP level, and Jalen Williams has been a consistent contributor. The Thunder’s strong defense and high-efficiency offense have kept them at the top of the standings, but there’s no doubt Holmgren’s return could take them to another level.
Chet Holmgren’s Recovery Progress And Potential Return Timeline
The good news is that Holmgren’s recovery appears to be progressing well. Now nine weeks removed from his injury, he’s started participating in movement drills and light shooting during practices. While the team hasn’t set an official return date yet, all signs point to him being close. The initial recovery window of 8–10 weeks still seems accurate, and fans can expect more updates in the coming days as he continues to ramp up his activities.
Holmgren isn’t the only player the Thunder have been missing this season. Isaiah Hartenstein missed the first 15 games with a hand injury, and Alex Caruso has dealt with his own hip issues, playing in just 20 of the team’s 38 games. Despite these setbacks, Oklahoma City has been incredibly consistent, boasting a 17-2 record at home and averaging only 11.5 turnovers per game. Getting Chet Holmgren back would make the Thunder stronger on defense and in the paint.
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