OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Chet Holmgren’s comeback from injury has elevated the already top-performing Thunder team. The former runner-up for rookie of the year last season made his way back into the starting lineup for Oklahoma City on Friday night following a nearly three-month absence due to a pelvic fracture. The versatile 7-foot-1 forward contributed four points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals during the Thunder’s 121-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
“It’s truly remarkable,” he expressed. “I’ve been away from the game for a long time, and I’ve put in a lot of hard work to return. I’m thrilled, excited, and eager to continue contributing to our victories and further enhancing my game.”
Playing a total of 22 minutes, the Thunder outscored the Raptors by 22 points while Holmgren was on the court. Holmgren, who was the second pick in the 2022 draft, missed what should have been his debut season in the NBA due to a foot injury. In the 2023-24 season, he played all 82 games, averaging 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds to help secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Prior to his injury this season, Holmgren averaged 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in 10 games. His performance on Friday surpassed expectations.
“It marks the beginning of his return to form. However, his journey to full performance is ongoing,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault remarked. “It takes time for a player who has been sidelined for that long, particularly with a lower-body injury, to regain game shape, stamina, rhythm, and more. We will continue to support his progress on a week-by-week basis. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic start.”
Despite the Thunder’s dominant performance without him, with MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, there was great excitement surrounding Holmgren’s comeback. Fans cheered him during warmups, and the arena erupted when he was introduced as the first player of the night.
Holmgren’s impactful return was evident from his first basket—an elegant floater from 4 feet away early in the game. In the fourth quarter, he made an emphatic defensive play by blocking a dunk attempt by Scottie Barnes, showcasing his presence on the court.
Acknowledging that he didn’t need to be the focal point of the offense, Holmgren emphasized his commitment to team success over personal glory.
“It’s not about showcasing Chet Holmgren,” he stated. “This is about the Thunder. Whether I was injured or not, that’s the priority. I aim to contribute in any way possible to help the team secure victories. My focus is solely on winning basketball games every single night.”
Daigneault recognized the challenge of integrating such
“Because we believe it possesses a significantly impressive potential for success.”___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
