Sad news for the Oklahoma City Thunder fans, Chet Holmgren will not be playing against the Milwaukee Bucks. Holmgren is currently recovering from a right iliac hip fracture and as a result, he will be absent from the Emirates NBA Cup final between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is going to be a crucial match for the Thunder and Holmgren’s presence on the court could be very beneficial for the team. However, even though Chet Holmgren has missed most of the matches, the Thunder have maintained an impressive 20-5 record. This has made them the best team in the Western Conference.
Will Chet Holmgren’s absence affect the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup final?
Chet is a crucial asset for the Thunder (Image via Jonathan Hui/ Imagn Images)
Chet Holmgren was having a fantastic season prior to the injury, averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in 10 games. With a field goal percentage of 50.5% and a beyond-the-arc shooting percentage of 37.8%, he was also shooting well. In a high-stakes matchup with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and defend the rim with his shot-blocking would have been crucial against the Bucks.
While Holmgren won’t be able to contribute on the court, he is still hopeful for his team’s victory tonight. The 7-foot-1 player attended the Thunder’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 2024, despite being on crutches. He was seen cheering on his team as they secured a 118-104 victory, a testament to his commitment to supporting his teammates. “He’s in good spirits,” Daigneault said, highlighting Holmgren’s positive attitude despite the challenges of his recovery. “I think mentally, he’s cleared some hurdles here where he’s starting to make some progress. I think initially when that happened, you just go to sit. That could be hard for a guy like him.”
Chet Holmgren has had a slow recovery. “He’s been through the process before,” Daigneault clarified. “He recognises the importance of taking things one step at a time. He’s performing admirably in that regard. He will eventually return, and he will keep improving.” Despite not playing in the NBA Cup Final, Holmgren is still an important component of the Thunder’s long-term strategy.
Also read: Will Khris Middleton play tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder? Latest update on the Bucks star’s status for Emirates NBA Cup final (December 17, 2024)
Holmgren will have to support his teammates from the sidelines as they get ready to play the Bucks in the NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas for the time being. Although he is sad to miss the game, he is determined to help the squad in any way he can, and his return is eagerly anticipated. Holmgren’s comeback is expected to be sometime in January 2025 as his recoverycontinues, which will greatly assist the Thunder in their pursuit of victory in the 2024–2025 campaign.