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Chet Holmgren out until at least January with pelvic fracture

Whether OKC can maintain its postseason hopes without Chet is now the storyline of the season. Holmgren's long-term health is the now storyline of the franchise.
Chet Holmgren out until at least January with pelvic fracture
ILLUSTRATION⚡SARAH SELLERS

After his nasty fall during Sunday night's loss to the Warriors, the Thunder announced that Chet Holmgren's "iliac wing" was fractured and that he will miss 8-10 weeks before his return timeline is updated. In other words, he's likely to miss most of the regular season but hasn't been ruled out for the year. Whether Holmgren will be available at full strength for Oklahoma City by the playoffs will remain unknown until at least January.

It's the second serious, rare injury to befell the big man in his short three-year career. He missed what was supposed to be his 2022-23 rookie season to a Lisfranc injury. The closest comparison I could find was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who also fell and broke his hip...at the age of 76.

The Thunder are all-in on a Holmgren-anchored small ball rotation, and are now down that anchor and both his interior backups (Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams) due to injury. As excellent as they've been to open the season, how and whether OKC's army of guards can maintain their postseason hopes is now the storyline of the season. Holmgren's long-term health is the now storyline of the franchise.

We'll be watching closely for updates from the team and knowledgeable medical professionals on the nature of Chet's injury and recovery.