Thunder Announce Chet Holmgren News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 6:01 PM ET

Chet Holmgren is playing in his third season as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder since the organization drafted him second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Holmgren’s career is off to an incredible start, as he played a crucial role in delivering the franchise’s first-ever championship last season since moving to Oklahoma City. The Thunder subsequently inked him to a long-term deal in the offseason, signing him to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension in July worth up to $250 million.

Across 32 games last year, Holmgren posted 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks while shooting 49.0% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.

Holmgren’s rare combination of rim protection, perimeter shooting and defensive versatility makes him one of the most dynamic and impactful two-way players in the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7)© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

As the Thunder prepare for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, Holmgren’s availability has suddenly become a concern. Oklahoma City announced their official injury report on Friday, with Holmgren being listed as questionable with lower back soreness. This is the first time he has emerged on the injury report. The injuries have started to pile up for the Thunder, with Jalen Williams still recovering from wrist surgery and Alex Caruso in concussion protocol.

As impactful as Holmgren has been in his career, his availability has been a recurring issue for the 23-year-old center. He not only missed the entire first season of his career, but also sat out 50 games last year with a hip issue. His durability remains a real concern, which is crucial given how important he is to the Thunder. His status will continue to be monitored, along with whether he returns to the starting lineup on Saturday.

Through his first two games of the season, Holmgren has collected 43 points, 19 rebounds and four assists. Oklahoma City has won both contests in part due to his efforts, and he has logged a heavy workload—averaging 38.5 minutes per game—as both matchups went into overtime. Holmgren was expected to take another leap forward this year, so the hope is that his back does not worsen. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting for the 2023–24 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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