Is OKC’s Chet Holmgren playing against the Pelicans? Latest injury update

The Oklahoma City Thunder have stated Chet Holmgren as stated in the injury report ahead of Sunday’s match against New Orleans Pelicanswhich concludes a three-game matinee homestand at the Paicom Center.

According to the Thunder the official injury report released on SaturdayHolmgren has lower back pain, which led to this Holmgren missed the Thunder’s win against the Washington Wizards. Sunday’s matchup against the Pelicans will be the third straight game he has missed since finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a 101-94 win – Oklahoma City’s previous game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Chet Holmgren was listed as questionable on the Thunder’s injury report, but was ruled to play hours before tipoff. Before the string of absences, Holmgren was showing signs of what could be a career season with the Thunder, averaging 23.0 points on 56.9% shooting, including 41.7% from deep, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in the first four games.

Mark Daigneault is turning to the Thunder’s smaller lineups

Without starting forward Chet Holmgren and All-Star Jaylen Williams, Thunder head coach Mark Dayno relied on smaller lineups, with four guards — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lou Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins — and Isaiah Hartenstein. Daigneault teased an increased role for Brooks Barnheiserwhose defense stood out, especially for a rookie.

However, players continue to step up off the bench, including Ajay Mitchell’s early MVP campaign and Isaiah Joe’s impressive regular season debut in the Thunder’s 127-108 win over the Wizards is an encouraging start. Both Mitchell and Joe finished with 20 points to lead the second unit, currently averaging 37.5 points per game on 41.5% shooting. He made his presence felt on both ends of the floor in his first game at guard.

Through the first six games of the regular season, Mitchell was the driving force behind the Thunder’s second unit. He is averaging 18.5 points on 46.1% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game as Oklahoma City’s defense has often been the difference in his perfect 6-0 start.

The Thunder also have the best defensive rating in the NBA (104.1). The Spurs (5-0), the only other undefeated team in the Western Conference, narrowly trail the defending champions (104.2) with the second-best defensive rating.