Why is Chet Holmgren Playing Tonight?
Chet Holmgren is not playing tonight because of a sore back. The Thunder medical team wants to be careful with his health. He first felt tightness after the game against Dallas, then missed two games in a row. The soreness has kept him out against the Sacramento Kings and now against the Washington Wizards.
He missed most of last season with a hip injury. The team does not want to risk making things worse. Doctors and coaches hope it is only a short break and that Holmgren can play again by November 2.
Holmgren is an important player for Oklahoma City. He averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds in the games before this injury. Thunder fans hope he is back soon.
The team has other players out, so they need Holmgren to recover quickly. For now, they are using their bench, focusing on speed and shooting to cover his absence.
There is no sign that this sore back is linked to his past hip problem. Coaches say they are playing it safe so he does not miss more games later on.
And that is why Chet Holmgren is not playing tonight. Everyone — fans, coaches, and teammates — wants him healthy and back on the court soon.
Disclaimer:
Player availability details are based on reports and team updates as of October 31, 2025. Injury conditions and return timelines can change depending on medical evaluations and coaching decisions. For the latest status, check official updates from the Oklahoma City Thunder or NBA injury report.
