Martin McGrew/NBAE via Getty Images
Chet Holmgren made a welcome return to the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup on Friday night.
The 22-year-old had four points, five rebounds, four blocks, two steals and an assist in 22 minutes as the Thunder cruised to a 121-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
It was Holmgren’s first game since November after he suffered a pelvic fracture. Following the game, Holmgren expressed how happy he was to return and how he looks forward to further progress.
“It’s amazing,” Holmgren said, per ESPN. “I missed it for a long time, and I worked really hard to be able to get back out there. So I’m happy and excited and look forward to continue to try and help us win and keep improving.”
Holmgren is in his second true season after he missed the 2022-23 season due to a foot injury. He averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 2023-24, finishing second in the bid for Rookie of the Year, helping the Thunder earn the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
He was averaging 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in 10 games prior to suffering the pelvic fracture and will hope to regain that form as he returns. Oklahoma City is currently 41-9 and has a 6.5-game lead for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Read the full article here