Holmgren injury puts Thunder depth and rookie Mara to test

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Chet Holmgren for the next 8-10 weeks after he underwent treatment on Friday for a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee. The injury gives coach Mark Daigneault another major gap to fill less than a month into the season.

Jalen Williams is out for the season following a leg injury, while Cason Wallace is expected to miss most of it after surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Oklahoma City have started 4-1, but a heavy loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday with Holmgren absent showed the difficulty of playing without another key contributor.

Mara faces a bigger role

Rookie centre Aday Mara is set for more minutes than the Thunder had expected to give him early in the season. The 7-foot-3 player from Michigan impressed in a brief appearance against Victor Wembanyama on opening night, then recorded his first double-double in Monday’s win over the Phoenix Suns: 11 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.

He found it harder to make an impact in 21 minutes against Dallas. His offensive game has so far been concentrated around the basket, with 80% of his field-goal attempts coming from within four feet of the rim and 75% taken without a dribble.

That calls for a different approach when Mara is on the floor. Isaiah Hartenstein can operate from the high post, while Holmgren and Jaylin Williams can create space farther from the basket. Mara has offered rim protection, recording seven blocks in five games, but he has also committed nine fouls across his two appearances of at least 20 minutes.

Injuries stretch Thunder’s options

The absences come after Oklahoma City parted with Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe over the summer. With three of their top six players now unavailable, the Thunder have less of the established depth that has helped them in recent seasons.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists through the early part of the season. His performances will be important as Oklahoma City try to remain competitive while their rotation changes.

What happens next

Holmgren is expected back in January. In the meantime, the Thunder can use Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams and Mara at centre, with Kenrich Williams also an option at the four.

Oklahoma City could assess that group before deciding whether to pursue a trade. A deal was considered unlikely before December 15, when players who signed this summer become available. Holmgren’s return could also give the Thunder time to judge his recovery before making a decision ahead of the trade deadline.