The injury issues for the Oklahoma City Thunder, somehow, have gotten worse.
The team announced Friday, Oct. 30 that All-Star center Chet Holmgren will miss at least two months with a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee. The Thunder said Holmgren underwent a “biological treatment” to repair the issue and said he was expected to make a full recovery and would miss 8-to-10 weeks.
This is just the latest injury concern for Oklahoma City, which now has three of its five starters out for an indefinite period. Forward Jalen Williams suffered a broken and dislocated ankle just three games into the season, and guard Cason Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Thunder also announced Friday that Wallace underwent his surgery
in Los Angeles and would be reevaluated before the end of the regular season.
Additionally, backup guard Alex Caruso is nursing a sprained ankle.
Holmgren, the runner-up last season to San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyam for Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Defensive selection, is a key part of Oklahoma City’s operation.
His absence, as well as the absence of the other injured Thunder players, puts added pressure on two-time reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will now receive the bulk of defensive attention from opposing teams.
Oklahoma City lost its first game without all its injured players Wednesday, Oct. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks, 120-96.
The Thunder had opened the season 4-0 and will now face the Houston Rockets Saturday, Oct. 31.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thunder injury woes grow; Chet Holmgren out 8-10 weeks for knee treatment
