The Oklahoma City Thunder are losing two more starters in addition to Jalen Williams.
Chet Holmgren will be sidelined for the next two months while Cason Wallace will be out for the near future, the Thunder announced Friday.
Holmgren underwent a “biological treatment” Friday on a patellar tendon tear 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 left shoulder surgery and will be “re-evaluated prior to the end of the 2026-27 regular season,” the team reported.
Wallace, Holmgren and Williams last played Oct. 25 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Wallace suffered his shoulder injury in the game, in which Williams suffered a broken left fibula and dislocated left ankle.
The Thunder announced Thursday Williams had undergone surgery involving “reconstruction of ankle ligaments” and would also be evaluated prior to the end of the regular season.
Holmgren also felt “mild discomfort in his right knee” for the first time the day of the Clippers game, according to the Thunder.
This will mark the first extended absence from Holmgren since he suffered a pelvic fracture in November 2024. He returned later that spring to contribute to the Thunder’s 2025 title run, then played 69 games of an All-Defensive campaign last season.
The Thunder will be eligible for a hardship roster exception given the injuries, which prefaced the franchise signing free agent guard Ochai Agbaji, per Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Smith noted the exception does not impact the Thunder’s salary cap status, and Oklahoma City will likely want to remain beneath the second apron going forward. The franchise had $4.6 million in space beneath the second apron after signing Agbaji, per Smith.
Wallace had averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.3 steals, while Williams put up 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game prior to their respective injuries.
Holmgren had averaged 12 points, 9.3 rebounds and three blocks per game before his procedure.
The team will now need to evaluate how to replace that missing production and defense with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein remaining from Oklahoma City’s season-opening starting lineup.
Alex Caruso has also been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup at the Houston Rockets with a right ankle sprain. Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams could continue to see elevated playing time as the Thunder look to build on their 4-1 start despite roster limitations.