Chet Holmgren was downgraded from day-to-day to out on Friday because of a right knee issue. He will miss Saturday's road game in Houston, and the Thunder are already short in the frontcourt.
What happened
Chet Holmgren was moved to out on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6:39 PM ET. The official injury report lists a right knee issue. He had been day-to-day since Thursday, Oct. 29. Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reported that Holmgren remains out for Saturday's road game against Houston. His status has gone back and forth all week. He was first listed out with the knee on Monday, Oct. 26. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, he moved to day-to-day and then back to out. He returned to day-to-day on Thursday. The injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 2.
What it means for the Thunder
The Thunder play at the Rockets on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8:30 PM ET on NBA TV. They are 4-1 and the third seed, and they lost their last game. In three games in 2026-27, Holmgren has averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.9 minutes. Oklahoma City is 3-0 with him and 1-1 without him. In the games he missed, Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 23.8 minutes and 9.4 points, and Jaylin Williams averaged 16.6 minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 26.0 points in 33.1 minutes, and Ajay Mitchell added 18.6 points in 25.3 minutes. The depth is thinner now. Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso both played rotation minutes in those games, and both are out.
What to watch
Holmgren's status has changed four times since Oct. 26, so each new injury report matters. The report lists an expected return of Monday, Nov. 2. Nothing has been announced beyond that date. Thomas Sorber, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Nikola Topic and Cason Wallace are also out for Oklahoma City. That puts more of the load on Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams in Houston on Saturday night.
Is Chet Holmgren playing at the Rockets on Saturday?
No. Holmgren is listed as out with a right knee issue for Saturday's game at Houston, which tips at 8:30 PM ET on NBA TV.
When will Chet Holmgren be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Nov. 2. No other timeline has been announced.