Chet Holmgren won’t be on the court Tuesday night when the Oklahoma City Thunder take on Sacramento, and for basketball fans following the young center’s meteoric rise, it’s a reminder that even the league’s brightest stars aren’t invincible.
The 7-footer is dealing with lower back soreness.
It’s the same nagging issue that’s kept him on and off the injury report since the season tipped off. The Thunder, now sitting pretty at 4-0 after Monday’s gritty win over Dallas, aren’t taking any chances with their franchise cornerstone.
The timing is tricky. Oklahoma City is playing back-to-back games, and Holmgren’s back simply isn’t ready.
He joins a crowded injury list that includes Jalen Williams, who’s still recovering from wrist surgery, and Isaiah Joe, sidelined with a knee contusion. For a team trying to maintain a perfect record, that’s a lot of firepower missing.
“We’ll need guys to step up,” one team source noted, and that’s exactly what’s about to happen.
Aaron Wiggins is the likely replacement in the starting lineup alongside Isaiah Hartenstein. Alex Caruso, just cleared from a three-game absence due to concussion, could also slide into the starting five if coach Mark Daigneault wants to go smaller against Sacramento’s guards.
The good news? This isn’t expected to become a long-term problem.
Holmgren has been the Thunder’s second-leading scorer while Williams recovers, and the organization is being cautious with their young star’s health. In a league where careers can be derailed by rushing back too soon, Oklahoma City is playing the long game.
The 22-year-old should be back Thursday when the Thunder host Washington at Paycom Center. For now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will need to carry even more of the scoring load as Oklahoma City tries to stay undefeated.
It’s a test every championship contender faces eventually. Tuesday night, we’ll see how the Thunder respond.