Oklahoma City’s rough start just took another brutal hit: big man Chet Holmgren underwent a “biological treatment” for a small patellar tendon tear on Friday night and is now sidelined for 8-10 weeks. This means we won’t see him back on the court until the first couple of weeks of 2027, a gut punch for a team already reeling from significant injuries to key players.
The Injury Bug Bites Again, Hard
Holmgren, a crucial defensive piece for the Thunder, experienced “mild discomfort” in his right knee after OKC beat the Suns on October 25. After some tests and doctor consultations, the team decided on this plan, which a league source suggests is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Good news, it helps him avoid more invasive surgery, but still, being out until 2027? That’s a long haul. What’s worse, Holmgren is now the third Thunder starter to go down with a major injury. Seriously, the basketball gods are not being kind to OKC.
An Already Thin Roster Takes More Hits
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just last Sunday, against the Clippers, Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula from an ugly fall. In that very same game, Cason Wallace tore his labrum in his left shoulder. The Thunder gave an update on Wallace on Friday, stating he will be re-evaluated before the end of the 2026-27 regular season. We’re talking about three starters, including a key defensive player in Holmgren, all out or with uncertain futures. This situation is beyond tough for the Thunder. They already traded away a chunk of their depth, like Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, this past offseason for financial reasons. Now, that decision is really coming back to bite them.
Who Steps Up? Everyone, Apparently.
With Holmgren out, the pressure is massive. Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams, who might even become a starter now, have to shoulder a huge load. Rookie Aday Mara and veteran Jaylin Williams will also need to step up big time. And to try and patch up their wing depth with Williams sidelined, the Thunder signed Ochai Agbaji to a contract on Friday. It’s an immediate move to try and stop the bleeding, but you have to wonder how much more this team can take. They’re facing a mountain of adversity right off the bat, and it’s going to be a real test of their resilience to stay competitive without so many of their core guys.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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