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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren was forced to leave the game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night after a painful fall in the lane. He sustained the injury early in the first quarter, and it was later confirmed by the team that Holmgren suffered a right iliac wing fracture. He is expected to follow a return-to-play protocol, which could take anywhere from eight to ten weeks.
Injury details: A painful fall
The injury happened less than six minutes into the game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Holmgren was attempting to contest a layup from Warriors' forward Andrew Wiggins on the baseline. After making contact with Wiggins, Holmgren fell hard onto his right hip beneath the basket. Despite making the basket, Wiggins did not draw a foul, but Holmgren stayed on the floor in evident pain.
The 21-year-old rookie was clearly struggling to put weight on his right leg as he was helped off the court and into the locker room. At the time of the injury, Holmgren had recorded no points and had pulled down just four rebounds.
Holmgren's journey: From setback to hope
Holmgren, selected as the second overall pick by the Thunder in the 2022 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury sustained during a pro-am game. Holmgren had been performing impressively this season as he averaged 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds through the first nine games. He had played a key role in Oklahoma City’s strong start to the season, but this latest injury will keep him sidelined for a significant portion of the year.
In a heartfelt message on X (formerly known as Twitter), Holmgren shared his thoughts about the injury. "Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before," he wrote. "On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand, I’ve felt the frustration of this process and the wear it puts on your mind. Most of all I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while."
Warriors’ victory and Thunder's playoff hopes
Despite Holmgren’s early exit, the Thunder continued to battle but ultimately fell to the Warriors, losing 127-116. Golden State's Stephen Curry had an outstanding performance, finishing with 36 points and seven assists, including seven three-pointers. The defeat dropped Oklahoma City into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with Phoenix and Golden State.
A challenging road ahead for Oklahoma City
In addition to Holmgren's injury, backup centre Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s $87 million free-agent acquisition, has yet to play this season after suffering a broken hand during the preseason. Hartenstein could make his return later this month, which will be crucial for the team as they try to stay competitive without Holmgren.
Holmgren, showing resilience in the face of adversity, ended his tweet with a message for his fans: "Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there rn with real problems that don’t heal. Anyways excuse my rambling just wanted to address our OKC fans and family. Thoughts from da hospital bed."
As the Thunder brace for an extended period without one of their star players, fans will hope for a swift recovery for Holmgren and look forward to his return to the court.
