Chet Holmgren’s hip injury update: How serious is it and how long could he be out?

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren faces yet another frustrating setback. The 22-year-old centre, who’s been a rising force at both ends of the court, is out for at least eight weeks after sustaining a hip fracture. The injury happened in Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Thunder, who were cruising with a strong 8-2 start, tied for the top spot in the West alongside the Warriors and Phoenix Suns. The Warriors took the game 127-116.

What is Holmgren’s injury?

Holmgren’s injury is to the ilium on the right side of his hip, an area that can be tricky to heal for high-impact athletes. The Thunder confirmed the extent of the injury and announced that the young center would need a minimum of eight weeks to recover, with a possible return timeframe extending up to ten weeks. His absence leaves Oklahoma thin on their interior rotation, a loss made even more significant given that Isaiah Hartenstein has been out since mid-October with a hand fracture.

This season, Holmgren has averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. His defensive and offensive skills have been integral to the Thunder’s game, especially given his stellar comeback after missing his entire rookie year in 2022-23 with a foot injury. In his first full season last year, Holmgren played all 82 games and turned heads with an impressive average of 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Holmgren injury: what happened?

In Sunday’s game, Holmgren’s injury came just five minutes into the first quarter when he attempted to block Warriors’ forward Andrew Wiggins. Mid-air, the two collided, sending Holmgren crashing to the ground in what turned out to be an awkward and painful fall, forcing him out of the game. This is the second time Holmgren has suffered an early-season injury, and for Thunder fans, there’s an understandable feeling of déjà vu.

The Thunder’s success in the Western Conference owes much to Holmgren’s steady improvement and the undeniable talent of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But with Holmgren sidelined for the foreseeable future, the team will have to adapt. This injury may force head coach Mark Daigneault to test his roster’s depth even more, potentially looking at alternative interior options to support their strong start.