Thunder star Chet Holmgren set to return from injury after missing three games

The Oklahoma City Thunder have picked up right where they left off in the 2024–25 season — a year in which they captured their second championship in franchise history and their first since 1979.

So far this season, Oklahoma City has opened with seven straight wins, the only undefeated team left in the NBA despite a wave of early injuries.

The Thunder have been without several key players, including Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren. Even more notably, last season’s No. 2 scorer, Jalen Williams, has yet to make his season debut.

However, Oklahoma City received encouraging news heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Chet Holmgren is set to return after missing the past three games due to a back injury. According to Thunder insider Brandon Rahbar, Dort has also been upgraded to questionable after sitting out Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans with an illness.

Before his injury, Holmgren had been outstanding through his first four games, stepping up offensively in Williams’ absence. The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 23 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Prior to this season, he had never averaged more than 16.5 points per game.

Holmgren’s return comes at a crucial time, as the Thunder aim to extend their perfect start and set a new franchise record by opening the season 8-0. The timing may be in their favor, as the Clippers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after falling to the Miami Heat on Monday.

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