Is Chet Holmgren playing tonight? Thunder vs. Wizards injury report

Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Chet Holmgren was ruled out for Thursday’s match against Washington Wizardswhich is the second straight game he will miss due to back pain. The Thunder improved to 5-0 in Holmgren’s absence in a 107-101 victory against the Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City’s first home game since raising the championship banner in the opener.

Holmgren, who was active in the first game of the road/home back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks, played in the first four games of the season before joining extended list of injuries for Thunder. All-Stars Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe have yet to make their season debuts. The same goes for Kenrich Williams (knee surgery) and rookie Nikola Topic, Oklahoma City’s 2024 first-round pick, who missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL.

Thunder forward Chet Holmgren was firing on all cylinders before his back caught fire. Averaging 23.0 points on 56.9/41.7/85.7 percent shooting, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals, Holmgren provided All-Star production. While that’s a small sample of just four games, it’s an all-around improvement over the 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.0 steals per game he averaged through the first four games last season.

The Thunder will look to extend their undefeated start to 6-0 when they host the Wizards.

Isaiah Hartenstein on growth seen in Thunder’s Chet Holmgren

After hanging out together in the offseason, Thunder veteran Isaiah Hartenstein considers Chet Holmgren’s growth. Hartenstein revealed areas of Holmgren’s game where he saw development in the frontcourt during their first full season together under coach Mark Daign.

“His confidence, but also just playing through contact. I think that’s where he’s been a lot better,” Hartenstein said. “I’ve been with him all summer, I’ve seen the work he’s put in with Drew Henlen, and you’re just seeing it now. You see this confidence. You see what he’s done for our team, and he’s also healthy. I think those two big keys — his confidence and being healthy — he’s one of the greatest in the league.”

After playing in just 10 regular-season games while Hartenstein recovered from a hand injury, Holmgren’s hip injury forced him to miss 50 games in 2024-25 before the Thunder made the championship game in last year’s playoffs.