Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren took a hard fall in the lane during Sunday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors and had to be helped off the court. The team later announced that he suffered a right iliac wing fracture and would be provided return-to-play protocols in eight to 10 weeks.
Holmgren went up on the baseline to counter Andrew Wiggins’ layup even though it was midway through the first quarter of a 127-116 loss to the Warriors at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. After making contact with Wiggins, Holmgren landed hard on his right hip directly under the basket.
Wiggins made the layup and no foul was called, but Holmgren remained in pain under the hoop for a while before being eventually helped back to the locker room. Holmgren struggled to put his weight on his right foot as he exited the court.
OKC’s concern here: Chet Holmgren shot to the side while fielding Andrew Wiggins’ layup. I needed help getting to the locker room. I wasn’t putting any weight on my right foot. When he was on the ground he appeared to be clutching his lower back/oblique abdomen. pic.twitter.com/ZGF3mCwqmG
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 11, 2024
Holmgren, the Thunder’s second overall pick in 2022 out of Gonzaga University, missed his entire first season in the league after sustaining a leg injury in a pro-am game. Last season, his first year in the league, he averaged 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, helping Oklahoma City reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Holmgren entered Sunday’s game averaging 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in nine games this season. He didn’t score a point and had just four rebounds on Sunday when he was injured, and once again he will miss most of the season.
“I don’t know if I’m feeling better or worse because I’ve been through something similar 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 it is on the other side. But on the other hand, I know how to approach it. I know what to do, what not to do, and how beautiful it is on the other side. But on the other hand, I know how to approach it. I know what to do, what not to do, and how beautiful it is on the other side. And I’ve felt the depletion that comes with that. Most of all, I’m hurting and I won’t be able to help my teammates or play for my fans and supporters for a while.”
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points and seven assists, making seven 3-pointers. With this loss, Oklahoma City fell into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with Phoenix and Golden State.
Backup center Isaiah Hartenstein, who the Thunder acquired in free agency for $87 million, has not yet played because he broke his hand during the preseason. He could return later this month and will play a big role until Holmgren heals.
Holmgren continued on Twitter: “Everyone supporting me and the team, and the need for hoops, are a big part of my passion for coming back.” “Please don’t pity me or make me feel bad. There are a lot of people out there with real problems that won’t go away. Anyway, I’m sorry for the ramblings that I just wanted to share with OKC fans and families. These are my thoughts from my hospital bed.”
