Chet Holmgren
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Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have issued a piece of good news regarding Chet Holmgren ahead of their game against the New York Knicks on Sunday. Holmgren missed the Thunder’s win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday due to an injury.
Holmgren was a late scratch against the Bulls because of a right hip contusion. It’s unclear when the big man suffered the injury, but he had hip issues last season.
The Thunder were also playing in the first game of a back-to-back, so it was understandable that they wanted to rest Holmgren. They were still able to dominate the Bulls to earn an easy 131-113 win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a bad game, but he still managed to score 25 points.
Holmgren’s Injury Status vs. Knicks
According to the Thunder’s official injury report for Sunday’s contest, Holmgren is available to play against the Knicks. It would be surprising if he’s a late scratch tonight since the Knicks are more than capable of beating the defending NBA champs.
With the San Antonio Spurs creeping behind them in the West standings, the Thunder can’t afford any setbacks if they want to have homecourt advantage for the entire playoffs.
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – DECEMBER 25: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during introductions prior to the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on December 25, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Holmgren is an important part of the Thunder’s success this season. He’s averaging 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game and was named to his first All-Star game.
While Holmgren is available to play, there are three players on the team’s injury report. Brooks Barnhizer and Nikola Topic are listed as probable, while Thomas Sorber remains out for the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee.
Thunder-Knicks Preview
Chet Holmgren vs. the Knicks
GettyChet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes to the basket against Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2026 in New York City.
Sunday’s matchup will be the second and final meeting of the season between the Thunder and Knicks. The defending champions won the first game, 103-100, earlier this month at Madison Square Garden.
SGA came up clutch for the Thunder in that matchup, finishing with 26 points, three rebounds and eight assists. Holmgren had one of his best games of the campaign, putting up 28 points, eight rebounds and two assists on 11-for-19 shooting.
The Knicks had the opportunity to force overtime, but Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed two game-tying shots from 3-point range. Brunson had a rough shooting night with 16 points on 18 shots, but he had 15 assists.
The Thunder have dominated the Knicks in their last 10 games, with a record of 8-2. They enter Sunday’s game on a five-game win streak against New York. They last lost to the Knicks on November 21, 2022.
However, the Thunder aren’t going to be well-rested compared to the Knicks. They are playing in the second game of a back-to-back, while Brunson and company had two days off before starting a three-game West road trip.