The Oklahoma City Thunder experienced a historic 2024-25 season, achieving 68 wins, showcasing one of the best defenses and point differentials in NBA history, and ultimately capturing their first Larry O’Brien Trophy. Despite this success, the team faced significant adversity, with injuries sidelining players for roughly 91.5% of the season, severely limiting their ability to stay fully healthy throughout the campaign.
Chet Holmgren’s Career-Altering Injury and Immediate Response
On November 10, Chet Holmgren suffered a catastrophic hip injury during a game against the Golden State Warriors. While attempting to block a shot, Holmgren fell hard to the court, fracturing his hip in an incident that left him clearly in excruciating pain. Teammates Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, both sidelined with their own injuries and dressed in street clothes, quickly rushed to Holmgren’s side and assisted him off the court.
Inside Perspective: GM Sam Presti’s Account of the Injury Night
Thunder general manager Sam Presti shared a detailed, behind-the-scenes account of that night during his annual end-of-season interview, shedding light on the intense pain Holmgren endured and the extraordinary support shown by his teammates. Presti stressed that in all his years around the NBA, he had never witnessed a player suffer through such severe pain.
Then this year when Chet got injured, [Jaylin Williams] and [Isaiah Hartenstein] are the ones that helped him off the floor. In all my years doing this, I’ve never, ever seen a player in that much pain. I mean, it was really tough. Hart and J-Will stayed with him the whole time in the back, and it was uncomfortable. It was uncomfortable because when someone is in that much pain, it’s hard to be a bystander. You know what I mean?,
Presti Detailed.
Unwavering Player Support Amidst Personal Struggles
At the time Holmgren was injured, both Williams and Hartenstein were also dealing with injuries, which made their actions even more remarkable. Sam Presti described their dedication as the greatest example of team and emotional support he had ever witnessed.
Those guys were both injured at the time. It was the greatest act of team support and teammate support I had ever seen. I don’t know that it will ever be matched. They sat with him. They supported him.
Presti reflected.
Chet, I don’t even know if he could realize they were there because of what he was going through. But those two guys — that’s the kind of stuff that makes the team unique. To understand how difficult that must have been for those guys to see someone in that much pain, and they stayed there the whole time until he left for the hospital.
A Glimpse into the Depth of Thunder’s Team Culture
The incident provides a powerful example of the culture Oklahoma City Thunder champions—one defined by deep caring and solidarity among players, even during the most painful and difficult moments. Holmgren’s injury was so severe that he could not even make it to the locker room unassisted.
And Chet — we had to stop halfway to the locker room. He couldn’t make it to the locker room, it was that bad. Eventually we got him to the table.
Presti said.
But those guys sat there, and they never left his side. I was just blown away by that. These are the things that go on inside teams that are unspoken, that when people are watching have these very, very strong opinions. They have 100 percent confidence with 10 percent of the information. 90 percent of the stuff is these types of things, and there’s stuff like that happening all the time, and it can show up in different situations.
Long-Term Commitment to Supporting Key Players
Oklahoma City Thunder’s management showed confidence in the culture and future by quickly renewing Jaylin Williams’ contract to ensure he remains part of the team for years to come in Bricktown. Sam Presti linked moments of mutual support like those displayed during Holmgren’s injury to the team’s collective strength throughout the latter part of the season.
I have to think that those small acts of support and selflessness were somewhere inside of the last two months,
Presti concluded.
Looking Forward: Expectation for Holmgren and the Thunder’s Prospects
The Thunder enter the new season with hopes that Chet Holmgren will recover fully and contribute at a high level, helping to build on their championship core. The candid reflections from GM Presti emphasize how the team’s ability to rally around each other during chaotic and painful moments forms an unshakable foundation for future success.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Chet Holmgren?
A. He sat out all of the 2022-23 season due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. Holmgren’s hip injury restricted him to 32 games the following season. However, he managed to participate in all 82 games during the 2023-24 season. Notably, Holmgren has also played in all 33 of Oklahoma City’s playoff games across the last two years.
Q. What injury did Chet Holmgren suffer?
A. Oklahoma City once played without Holmgren because a torn ligament in his right foot kept him out of the whole 2022-23 season. This injury happened during a pro-am game, and he had surgery for it in August. The Thunder were aware before the season started that he wouldn’t be playing.
Q. Why is Chet Holmgren so good?
A. Chet Holmgren’s top-notch defense skills force opponents to reconsider their plays. His ability to guard the rim is exceptional. Advanced stats like ‘box plus minus’ models indicate that Chet Holmgren significantly impacts defense early in his NBA career.