Report: Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren suffers 'potential' torn foot ligaments
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft this past June, is undergoing further evaluation to determine the severity of a foot injury, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Initial exams revealed "potential" torn ligaments in Holmgren's right foot, Charania reported. The 7-foot, 190-pound prospect is undergoing further evaluation to determine a timetable for his return from the injury.
Holmgren appeared to suffer the injury two minutes into a pro-am game hosted by retired NBA player Jamal Crawford at Seattle Pacific University on Saturday. Holmgren was defending Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James in transition before landing awkwardly and limping to halfcourt. He did not return.
Here's the play where Chet Holmgren got hurt tonight. He was guarding @KingJames one-on-one. It's hard to tell how he got hurt. He might have just stepped weirdly. @ChetHolmgren @thecrawsover #thunder pic.twitter.com/AzUBYUgnyV
— Nathan Thompson (@NathanDThompson) August 21, 2022
The game was discontinued before halftime due to slippery conditions on the court.
"I had to make the decision to stop the game to protect the players," Crawford said on Twitter of canceling a game that also featured NBA All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Dejounte Murray. "Tough, but right decision."
Holmgren averaged 14 points (on 48/42/94 shooting splits), 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 26.2 minutes over five summer league games for the Thunder in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
Holmgren's thin frame, and the injury risk that comes with it, is considered one reason he fell behind Paolo Banchero in the draft. The Thunder will surely be cautious with Holmgren as training camp approaches.
