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Tim Macmahon
Oklahoma City – The main incorporation of the Thunder before the exchange deadline will be the return of the center/power of striker Chet Holmgren of a fractured pelvis.
Holmgren has been authorized to play in the game at the home on Friday night against the Toronto Raptors after being left aside since the beginning of November. 39 games for the Thunder were lost, which have the best NBA record (40-9).
Made reference to his return In social networkswriting: “I’m back.”
The 7-foot holmgren, the runner-up of the rookie of the year last season, had a phenomenal beginning before being injured in a terrifying fall while challenging Andrew Wiggins driving tray in a defeat of 127-116 against the Golden State Warriors In November. . 10. Holmgren averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.9 blockages during the start of 8-1 of the Thunder.
Holmgren and his 7 -foot partner Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed a three -year contract and $ 87 million to come to Oklahoma City in free agency during the summer, had not yet been available at the same time this season.
Coach Mark Daigneault said during the preseason that he hoped to experiment with how to use that duo in the rotation of the Thunder. Holmgren and Hartenstein are mainly centers, but Holmgren has perimeter offensive skills to play power. It is a 37% shooter of 37% of 3 points that can handle the ball and pass like a wing.
Oklahoma City is 34-4 when Holmgren or Hartenstein are available for a complete game. The Thunder are 6-5 in the rest of their games, including the loss of Golden State, when Holmgren was injured in the first half.
