Early in the 2026/27 NBA season, some of the biggest names in the league have been ruled out, with the Oklahoma City Thunder hit as hard as any team as Jalen Williams has already been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Given their depth, the belief is that with players such as Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso, they’d be able to sustain the injury to one of their most important players, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander healthy and ready to continue leading this team. Unfortunately, the team seemingly can’t catch a break, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday evening that star power forward Chet Holmgren will officially miss between 8 and 10 weeks of action as he underwent surgery to repair a small patella tendon tear.
Up front, the Thunder were already relying on Jaylin Williams and 31-year-old Kenrich Williams, with the starting duo of Isaiah Hartenstein and Holmgren shouldering much of the load for this organization.
Following the Williams injury, the trade rumors picked up as the Thunder likely didn’t want to give up on the 2026/27 season, and while they added free agent Ochai Agbaji, they’re yet to make a blockbuster move. Now however, their hand may be forced, with the team still hopeful of a return to the NBA Finals following their win in 2025, as their record of 4-1 suggests they could still be a very good team.
Thankfully, it’s not a season ender for Holmgren, as he should be back early in 2027 for the Thunder, but after already losing Williams, this is the last thing that the team in a loaded Western Conference wanted to be dealing with.
