Chet Holmgren injury update: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit with another major blow as 7-foot-1 teammate sidelined

Oklahoma City has lost a third starter to a significant injury in a single week. Chet Holmgren will miss eight to 10 weeks with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his right knee, the Thunder announced Friday night. The center had a procedure that day to avoid surgery, and the timeline points to a return in early 2027. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace went down last Sunday and have both had operations since. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now heads into November with a thinner lineup around him and a lot more to carry.How long will Chet Holmgren be out after the knee procedure?Holmgren saw several specialists after feeling mild discomfort last Sunday. By Friday the team decided to “perform a biological treatment today to address a small patellar tendon tear,” according to its statement. The team called the procedure successful.A league source told NBC Sports the treatment is likely platelet-rich plasma therapy, a common option across pro sports that spares a player the more invasive repair. Eight to 10 weeks puts the 7-footer back on the floor in the first couple of weeks of 2027.He was averaging 12.0 points and 9.3 rebounds this season. Last season he put up 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, and earned first-team All-Defensive and third-team All-NBA honors.Injuries have followed Holmgren since the Thunder took him No. 2 in the 2022 draft. A broken foot wiped out the 2022-23 season, and a fractured pelvis cost him a few months of 2024-25 before he returned for the title run. This is the third major one.How do the Thunder cope without three starters?Williams has a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle after an ugly fall against the Clippers. Wallace tore the labrum in his left shoulder in the same game. Wallace had surgery Friday and Williams on Wednesday, and both will be re-evaluated before the regular season ends. All three starters are key defenders.The roster was already lighter. Offseason trades sent Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe away for financial reasons, and Oklahoma City signed Ochai Agbaji on Friday for wing help.Isaiah Hartenstein, rookie Aday Mara and Jaylin Williams will soak up frontcourt minutes, and Kenrich Williams may move into the starting five. Gilgeous-Alexander, the back-to-back MVP, will carry most of the scoring load with Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain beside him.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.