Thunder announce an awful injury update on Chet Holmgren

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Thunder announce an awful injury update on Chet Holmgren

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Oct 31, 2026 9:09 AM ET

The hits just keep on coming for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City shared the terrible news on Friday that star center Chet Holmgren will be out for at least the next 8-to-10 weeks. Holmgren is dealing with a “small patellar tendon tear” in his right knee and has already undergone a “biological treatment” in order to address the issue.

The Thunder added that Holmgren originally experienced discomfort in his knee on Oct. 25. Additionally, the team says that Holmgren’s treatment was successful and that he is expected to make a full recovery.

Holmgren, 24, is in his fourth NBA season and has already earned All-Star honors, an All-NBA selection, an All-Defensive First Team nod, and a championship ring with the Thunder in 2025. Over his first three games of the 2026-27 season, Holmgren was averaging a modest 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest before missing the last two games with his knee issue.

The Thunder say Chet Holmgren will be sidelined at least 8-to-10 weeks after “a biological treatment today to address a small patellar tendon tear” in his right knee. pic.twitter.com/r6oHiDwOLa
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 31, 2026

The 7-footer Holmgren does have an injury-prone label and already missed his entire rookie season in 2022-23 due to a foot issue (before also missing extended time in 2024-25 due to a pelvic injury suffered on an in-game fall). Now Holmgren is facing another lengthy absence and could be on the shelf until after the 2027 NBA All-Star break.

That is obviously horrific news for the 4-1 Thunder, especially given the brutal long-term injuries that they have already been hit with over the last several days. Jalen Williams suffered a gruesome leg dislocation earlier this week, and Cason Wallace sustained a torn labrum during the same game. Both players are expected to be out for the remainder of the regular season, and now Holmgren (who like Williams has a $239.2 million contract with the Thunder) is joining them as an extended absentee as well.

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