OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without big man Chet Holmgren into the holidays after the team announced Friday that he has a small tear in the patellar tendon of his right knee.
Holmgren first felt discomfort in the knee on Oct. 25, the team said. After he saw several specialists, the decision was made to treat the tear with a biological procedure on Friday. The Thunder called the treatment successful and said they expect him to recover fully and play again in eight to 10 weeks.
That timeline points to a return somewhere between late December and early January. An eight-week recovery would line up with the Thunder trip to Minnesota on Christmas Day, while 10 weeks would push him into the second week of January.
The loss is a heavy one. A year ago Holmgren put up 17.1 points per game to go with 8.9 rebounds and nearly two blocked shots a night. That season earned him spots on the All-NBA third team and the All-Defensive first team, and only San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama drew more Defensive Player of the Year support.
He is the third Thunder rotation player sidelined in a week. Forward Jalen Williams broke his left fibula and dislocated his left ankle on the same day Holmgren first felt knee pain, and he has already had surgery. Guard Cason Wallace had an operation Friday in Los Angeles to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The team said both Williams and Wallace will be re-evaluated before the regular season ends.
The injuries are part of a rough early stretch across the league. Minnesota star Anthony Edwards is also expected to miss up to two months after a procedure on his right knee.
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