What Happened to Chet Holmgren? Yet Another OKC Player Sidelined as Thunder’s Injury Woes Deepen

Just two weeks in, the NBA’s injury concerns have already made the rounds in every corner, especially Oklahoma. If having Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace sidelined for months and potentially much of the 2026–27 season wasn’t depressing enough, the Thunder now take another hit through star big man Chet Holmgren.

“Thunder PF/C Chet Holmgren is out at least 8-10 weeks after getting a biological treatment today to address a small patellar tendon tear, per the team,” ESPN personality Tim MacMahon’s X post read on October 31, 2026.

Initially, Holmgren has appeared in only three games this 2026-27 NBA season, averaging 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Although the stats already revealed the player's lack of involvement, who’s otherwise able to put up bigger numbers and have a bigger impact, the actual terror broke out on the day the Thunder won 108-101 over the LA Clippers.

“In a statement, the team said the star big man experienced mild discomfort in his right knee on Oct. 25,” an elaborated ESPN report read. “And follow-up testing showed a small patellar tendon tear.”

So many injuries within just 5 games is a concern in itself, but to make it worse, Holmgren’s absence will put the Thunder at a massive defensive disadvantage, given that they’re already playing without Williams (2024-25 All-Defensive Team selection) and Wallace (2025-26 Second Team All-Defense honors).

Naturally, a patellar tendon tear is said to take about 6 to 12 weeks to heal, but can take 3 to 6 months in many cases. While waiting for Holmgren’s return, the Thunder will need wise, careful play. But safe to say that GM Sam Presti has been optimistic, and that mentality has been reflected in the team’s win-loss column.

“We’ll get them back. We’ll get them healthy. But we got a lot of basketball to play in front of us,” Presti said Monday, wrote NBC News’ Andrew Greif. “We got to put it together, figure out what the next steps are. Because this is part of the business that we’re in.”

For now, this Saturday night meeting with the Houston Rockets will put their grit and resilience to the test.