Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren vows to return after pelvic fracture

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren vows to return after pelvic fracture


CNN

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren will miss significant time after breaking his pelvis during Sunday’s 127-116 home loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Holmgren fell hard to the ground in the first quarter after contesting a layup from Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. Holmgren lay there for a few minutes and was eventually helped off the field because he could not put pressure on his right leg.

Oklahoma City said Monday that the 22-year-old suffered a right iliac wing fracture and is expected to return this season. The team will update Holmgren’s condition in eight to 10 weeks.

“I can’t say if I feel better or worse because I’ve experienced something similar before,” he posted on X from the hospital early Monday morning.

“On the one hand, I know how to handle it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand, I have felt the frustration of this process, and the wear and tear it puts on your mind.

“I’m especially hurt because I won’t be able to help my teammates and play in front of our fans and supporters for a while. Everyone who stays with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return. Don’t pity me or feel bad, there are a lot of people (right now) with real problems that aren’t healing.

After the loss, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault noted that the team would have to move on without the 7-foot-1 star.

Warriors' Andrew Wiggins collides with OKC's Chet Holmgren on Sunday.

“This is a resilient, tough, competitive and adaptive team,” Daigneault said, “and we will remain so no matter the circumstances.”

The second overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft missed the 2022-2023 season with a foot injury. Holmgren suffered the injury while participating in a pro-am competition.

In 10 games this season for the (8-2) Thunder, Holmgren averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Last year, the forward/center played all 82 games, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year election.

Oklahoma City hosts the (6-4) Los Angeles Clippers on Monday evening.


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