The group introduced he’d be reevaluated in eight to 10 weeks, which might imply the earliest it’d even have information about Holmgren’s return can be early January. If it is 10 weeks, meaning he’d miss a minimal of 30 video games.
It is a uncommon damage for a basketball participant, so there is no telling what Holmgren’s restoration may be like. It is an enormous setback for a participant who already missed the 2022-23 season with a Lisfranc damage in his foot. Final season, Holmgren stormed again to complete second within the Rookie of the Yr voting and assist the Thunder to the No. 1 seed. Now, he has to look at from the sidelines once more.
Holmgren is not the one Thunder middle who’s on the shelf. This summer time’s massive free-agent signing, Isaiah Hartenstein, fractured his hand throughout a preseason recreation. His damage will not be reevaluated till the top of November.
As well as, Kenrich Williams, usually used as a small-ball middle regardless of standing simply 6-foot-6, had knee surgical procedure in September. He has no timetable to return. 6-foot-9 Jaylin Williams reaggravated a hamstring pressure final week and can be reevaluated in three to 5 weeks.
So till the top of the month, the tallest energetic participant on the Thunder is 6-foot-9 middle Ousmane Dieng. Dieng has performed 82 video games in his three NBA seasons and has blocked 15 pictures. Additionally they have 6-foot-9 Malevy Leons, a Dutch rookie middle who has 16 profession minutes.
This implies the Thunder should lean exhausting into small-ball play, which has been part of their group philosophy for some time. Final 12 months, they have been beginning 6-foot-5 Jalen Williams at energy ahead and infrequently used Kenrich Williams because the backup. This season, they’ve used 6-foot-5 Alex Caruso at middle when Holmgren sat.
He will be the beginning middle now. Fortunately, the Thunder have been greatest within the NBA at forcing turnovers final season, and that was with out the All-Defensive Caruso. However that they had issues rebounding, and people can be exacerbated.
It is going to be a troublesome three to 4 weeks for the Thunder. With out wholesome massive males, their title hopes may additionally need to be reevaluated.
