Horrible injury luck has struck the Thunder but here's how they can survive

The Oklahoma City Thunder were dealt a crushing blow after star center Chet Holmgren suffered an hip injury in their most recent game against the Houston Rockets. Holmgren suffered a right iliac hip fracture that will keep him out of the lineup for at least 8 and 10 weeks.

It is important to note that that won't be out for 8-10 weeks but will only be reevaluated during that time and could miss additional time after that. If that is the case then, he could miss between 2 and 3 months of basketball or around 40 games during that span.

That is a devastating blow for the Thunder, who have one of the best records in the league but will be without their second-best player for months. Not only that, they are still waiting for the debut of Isaiah Hartenstein. With a hole at the center, there is a major question about whether the Thunder can withstand the absence of Holmgren for up to three months.

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder handle the absence of Chet Holmgren?

The Thunder currently have the second-best record in the Western Conference and are tied for the second-best record in the NBA behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Losing Holmgren likely means that they will slide in the standings, some with them being reliant on him on both sides of the ball.

Particularly on defense, where he was a strong candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year had he been able to stay healthy. Once Hartenstein returns, they will have a starting-caliber big man who can hold down the position.

Of course, he won't return immediately. He was set to be reevaluated in five to six, with his injury occurring on October 17th. That means that he could still miss at least 3 weeks before a return date is set. Hartenstein was brought in to get the Thunder more size but with him and Holmgren out, the Thunder may have to look elsewhere for help.

Their next biggest player, heightwise, is Ousmane Dieng, though he isn't a center. They currently have 15 players under contract without an open roster spot. Nevertheless, the Thunder could apply for the disabled player exception, which would potentially allow them to sign or make a trade for a player.

They previously did so when Holmgren missed the entire 2022–23 season and it may be their best bet to bring in some center help in Holmgren's absence. The Thunder will still have trouble replacing Holmgren, though they have enough depth to avoid a freefall in the meantime.