The Oklahoma City Thunder started the 2024-25 NBA season strong as they quickly rose to the top of the Western Conference, but they have slowed down as of late.
Though the Thunder sit just behind the Golden State Warriors, the team has shown cracks on both ends of the floor.
This is largely due to the absence of Chet Holmgren, who remains sidelined with a hip injury.
Holmgren was on track for an All-Star season before going down, and the Thunder have had to try to find ways to replicate his production on both ends of the floor.
Head coach Mark Daigneault recently provided an update on Holmgren and where he’s at in his recovery.
“He’s immobile right now,” Daigneault said, via Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. “He’s not doing very much. … He’s been around the building a little bit and we’ll continue to have him around the building when the team’s around. … He’s now able to crutch around and do a little bit more.”
Mark Daigneault on Chet: “He’s immobile right now. He’s not doing much… He’s been around the building a little bit and we’ll continue to have him around the building when the team is around… He’s now able to crutch around and do a little bit more.” pic.twitter.com/erx0idCNAZ
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 23, 2024
Holmgren suffered the injury a couple of weeks ago and was given an 8-10 week timetable to return.
Daigneault’s update might not sound overly positive, but there doesn’t seem to be any setbacks in Holmgren’s recovery up to this point.
With Holmgren out, the Thunder have relied on smaller lineups and are making do, though they certainly miss their star big man.
Oklahoma City should be able to keep pace with the rest of the league for the next couple of months until Holmgren returns.