A right knee injury has sidelined Chet Holmgren, making him the third Oklahoma City starter ruled out long-term in a week. The defending West power is now down three starters, which puts more on its reserves.

The Oklahoma City Thunder must now plan for an extended stretch without Chet Holmgren.

The biological treatment he received appears to be platelet-rich plasma therapy, which lets Holmgren avoid more invasive surgery, a league source told NBC Sports. He first felt mild discomfort in the knee on Sunday against the LA Clippers. He then saw specialists before the treatment was chosen.

That same Sunday game also cost the Thunder two more starters. The AP reported that Oklahoma City may already be without that pair for the rest of the regular season.

A three-starter hole hits the West power’s frontcourt and defense

Holmgren’s absence strips away a defensive anchor. He finished second to Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26. He also made the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Defensive First Team. He and Wembanyama were the top two vote-getters for that All-Defensive team, chosen by a global media panel of 100 voters.

He averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season. Wallace, also sidelined, made the All-Defensive Second Team.

Health has been a recurring issue for Holmgren. This is his third significant injury since Oklahoma City drafted him second overall in 2022. He missed the 2022-23 season with a broken foot. He missed several months of 2024-25 with a fractured pelvis.

Isaiah Hartenstein and Jared McCain, with 10 points apiece, were Oklahoma City’s top scorers in the October 31 defeat.

Agbaji move paused as Oklahoma City rethinks its roster

The injuries have changed the front office’s plans. Agbaji’s own health was not a factor.

Agbaji, 26, was waived by the New York Knicks in final roster cuts this month. He has played for three NBA teams in four seasons. He split last season between Toronto and Brooklyn.

For now, the minutes fall to players already on the roster. Hartenstein, Kenrich Williams, rookie Aday Mara and Jaylin Williams are in line for bigger roles. Holmgren is likely out until late December or January.

That window means he will miss all of the Thunder’s Emirates NBA Cup group-stage games. Oklahoma City plays in West Group B with Minnesota, the LA Clippers, New Orleans and Memphis. Group games are played every Friday from October 30 through November 27, with extra Cup Nights on November 24 and 25. The Cup championship game is set for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.