Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso receive injury notices ahead of Kings clash

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be short one key starter but will regain another when they return home for a three-game homestand Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings.

The team announced that center Chet Holmgren is turned off with pain in the lower back, while guarding Alec Caruso has cleared concussion protocol and is available for play. The reigning NBA champions (4-0) will compete against the Kings (1-2) at the Pike Center.

Holmgren last appeared in Monday night’s 101-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks, where he turned in another strong performance in his third NBA season. The 23-year-old finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and two assists while shooting 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free throw line over 32 minutes. He also posted a team-high plus/minus of +15, continuing his consistent two-way production to start the season.

Chet Holmgren ruled out, Alex Caruso returns for Thunder against Kings due to early season injuries

In four games, Holmgren averaged 23 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 56.9% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc in 34.3 minutes per game. His efficiency and rim protection have been central to Oklahoma City’s undefeated start, but the team will now have to carefully manage his workload as it navigates a busy early schedule.

Caruso, meanwhile, returns later missed three straight games while in concussion protocol. The 31-year-old veteran last played in the season opener in Oklahoma City — a A 125-124 double overtime win over the Houston Rockets. In that contest, he had eight points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block while shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 2-for-6 from three in 30 minutes.

The The Thunder will still be without several key players in the rotation. Isaiah Joe remains out with a left knee contusion, while Thomas Sorber (right ACL recovery), Nikola Topic (post-op recovery), Kenrich Williams (left knee surgery) and Jalen Williams (right wrist surgery) continue to rehabilitate. Head coach Mark Daigneault has relied on Oklahoma City’s depth and defensive consistency to keep the momentum going through the early part of the season.

The Thunder will host the Kings at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday night at the Pike Center.