Utilizing the final two preseason games as a dress rehearsal, one notable absence has sounded the alarm. Chet Holmgren went through an entire five-game preseason slate without suiting up once. Dealing with a quad contusion, could that leak over for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Opening Night and beyond?
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault kept his cards close to his vest. He talked about Holmgren's regular-season status on Saturday after practice. As usual, he'll defer to the NBA's official injury report — that will let us know by Monday, Oct. 19.
"Everybody did something in practice today, to varying degrees based on individual situations," Daigneault said. "But in terms of availability for any player, I'll just leave it to the injury report."
As a reminder, Holmgren isn't the only Thunder player dealing with a possible injury. Jaylin Williams missed all of preseason with heel soreness. And Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic were also out. Both were limited in training camp due to their respective offseason surgeries. Otega Oweh was lost for the year with a torn Achilles tendon he sustained in preseason.
I guess we'll see if Holmgren suits up for the San Antonio Spurs. Of course, his arch-rival Victor Wembanyama will be on the other side. It's going to be a 2026 Western Conference Finals rematch. The two NBA win machines from last year are entering the year as co-title favorites.
Mark Daigneault on Chet Holmgren’s Opening Night status: “Everybody did something in practice today, to varying degrees based on individual situations. But in terms of availability for any player, I'll just I'll leave it to the injury report.” pic.twitter.com/bjRN9xdLw6
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Will Chet Holmgren play on 2026-27 NBA Opening Night?
