The Oklahoma City Thunder are losing two more starters in addition to Jalen Williams.
Chet Holmgren will be out for the next two months while Cason Wallace will be out for the near future, the Thunder announced Friday.
Holmgren underwent “biological treatment” Friday for a torn patella tendon in his right knee, the Thunder announced.
He is expected to return to play in eight to 10 weeks, according to the Thunder.
Wallace underwent surgery on his left shoulder and will be “re-evaluated before the end of the 2026-27 regular season,” the team reported.
Wallace, Holmgren and Williams last played on October 25 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Wallace suffered a shoulder injury during the match, during which Williams suffered a fractured left fibula and a dislocated left ankle.
The Thunder announced Thursday that Williams underwent surgery involving “ankle ligament reconstruction” and would also be evaluated before the end of the regular season.
Holmgren also felt “slight discomfort in his right knee” for the first time on the day of the Clippers game, according to the Thunder.
It will be Holmgren’s first extended absence since suffering a fractured pelvis in November 2024. He returned later that spring to contribute to the Thunder’s 2025 title run, then played in 69 games of an All-Defensive campaign last season.
The Thunder will be eligible for a hardship list exception given the injuries, which preceded the signing of free agent guard Ochai Agbaji, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Smith noted that the exception does not impact the Thunder’s salary cap status, and Oklahoma City will likely want to stay under the second apron moving forward. The franchise had $4.6 million in space under the second apron after signing Agbaji, according to Smith.
Wallace averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.3 steals, while Williams was putting up 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game before their respective injuries.
Holmgren was averaging 12 points, 9.3 rebounds and three blocks per game before his surgery.
The team will now have to evaluate how to replace that missing production and defense, with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein remaining from Oklahoma City’s starting lineup for the season opener.
Alex Caruso was also ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets with a sprained right ankle. Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams could continue to see high playing time as the Thunder look to build on their 4-1 start despite roster limitations.
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