Thunder’s Holmgren Overcomes Injury, Aims for Playoff Success

OKLAHOMA CITY — Chet Holmgren is back on the court and determined to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs after an injury setback. The Thunder recently secured their 62nd win of the season, defeating the Chicago Bulls, but Holmgren is not focused on statistics.

“All that work last summer, thrown into the trash can,” Holmgren said, expressing frustration over his fractured hip, an injury sustained during a game against the Golden State Warriors. The talented center, who had hoped for a breakout third season, was sidelined for weeks.

Before the injury, Holmgren showcased his skills, scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the season opener versus the Denver Nuggets. He was proving himself to be a key player for a Thunder team that started the season 8-1.

“I worked my tail off last summer… And then — boom! — get hurt. F—ed up situation,” Holmgren told The Athletic, illustrating the mental challenges he faced during his recovery.

The Thunder management recognized the importance of a strong center position and signed Isaiah Hartenstein during free agency to complement Holmgren. General manager Sam Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault believed this twin-tower approach would bolster their playoff chances.

However, the team faced difficulties as Hartenstein also suffered an injury, breaking his left hand during preseason. By the time he returned, Holmgren was entrenched in physical therapy. “Bedridden,” he described his recovery process that kept him away from team workouts for weeks.

Despite the challenges, the Thunder have found success through adjusting their lineups, experimenting with small-ball strategies, and seeing wins accumulate in Holmgren’s absence. When both players were finally able to take the court together, Daigneault emphasized the need for rapid familiarization as the playoffs approached.

Thunder head coach Daigneault noted, “We’d like to get our best players on the court. Sometimes you have to adapt tactically or lineup-wise to do that.” The duo has logged 316 minutes together this season, showing promise with positive scoring and rebounding ratios.

The combination of Holmgren’s unique skills and Hartenstein’s gameplay created a formidable presence on the court, leading to improved rebounds and defensive rates that even Daigneault acknowledged. “They’re both in their own way very dynamic,” he stated.

As they enter the playoffs, the Thunder hope the twin-tower combination can thrive against diverse matchups and potentially elevate the franchise’s aspirations for a championship. “We want to figure out how to get to our highest impact players,” Daigneault added, emphasizing the significance of their strategy moving forward.

For Holmgren, the journey in the postseason begins now, and he is determined to make the most of his comeback after a difficult season. “We believe that answer can be a championship,” he said, projecting optimism for the Thunder’s future.