- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Chet Holmgren for 8-10 weeks after the center underwent treatment Friday for a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee.
Holmgren joins Jalen Williams, who is out for the season after a leg injury, and Cason Wallace, expected to miss most of the season following shoulder surgery. The Thunder are now missing three of their top six players less than a month into the campaign.
Oklahoma City opened 4-1 but suffered a lopsided loss to Dallas on Wednesday with Holmgren sidelined, previewing the difficulty ahead. The club entered the year as co-favorites in the West alongside San Antonio with a win total over 60.
Rookie Aday Mara now becomes critical. The 7-foot-3 Michigan product impressed in his debut against Victor Wembanyama and posted his first double-double Monday against Phoenix with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes. Mara has blocked seven shots in five games but has also committed nine fouls across his two contests with 20-plus minutes.
General manager Sam Presti may accelerate trade exploration with the roster depleted, though December 15 remains the earliest realistic date for movement.
Mickey's Angle: The Thunder's depth is being tested early; keep an eye on whether Presti moves aggressively or rides out the storm until Holmgren's expected January return.
Source: CBS Sports - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.