Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Chet Holmgren's 7-foot-1 frame crashed to the floor, resulting in a pelvic bone break and an early exit during an Oklahoma City Thunder loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The incident occurred about five minutes into the 127-116 setback Sunday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder said Holmgren sustained a right iliac wing fracture, but is expected to return this season.
An update on his potential timeline for return will be provided in eight to 10 weeks. Holmgren was 0 for 3 from the floor, but pulled down four rebounds in his 5:10 of action Sunday in Oklahoma City.
He was patrolling the paint during the play that led to his injury. Holmgren stood in the area as Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins dribbled in from the right corner.
Wiggins elevated and made contact with Holmgren as he threw a shot off the back of the rim and into the net. Holmgren went down hard on his right rip during the sequence. He writhed in pain, while holding his side before being tended to by trainers and leaving the game.
Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged a career-high 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.2 assists per game through his first nine appearances this season. His 25 blocks this season are the second most in the NBA, trailing only San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who totaled 40 through 10 appearances.
Holmgren averaged 16.5 points. 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game last season, when he appeared in all 82 games. He missed his entire rookie campaign because of a foot injury.
Stephen Curry scored a game-high 36 points in Sunday's win. Fellow Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton totaled 19 points and 10 rebounds. Wiggins chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds.
Forward Jonathan Kuminga scored 20 points off the Warriors bench. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points.
The Thunder (8-2) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (6-4) at 8 p.m. EST Monday at the Paycom Center. The Warriors (8-2) will host the Dallas Mavericks (5-5) at 10 p.m. Tuesday in San Francisco.
