Chet Holmgren Questionable for Thunder vs. Raptors: Injury Report, 3 Things to Watch Tonight
The Oklahoma City Thunder head into tonight's matchup with the Toronto Raptors with chet holmgren listed as questionable for low back spasms, and a short but consequential injury report that could shape Tuesday's game. The status of Holmgren and several roster questions add urgency after one of Oklahoma City's biggest wins of the season.
Chet Holmgren Questionable — Full injury report
Here are the injury reports for both the Thunder and Raptors ahead of Tuesday's game:
- Alex Caruso — Questionable: Left ankle sprain
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Out: Abdominal strain
- Chet Holmgren — Questionable: Low back spasms
- Ajay Mitchell — Out: Abdominal strain/left ankle sprain
Three things to watch in Thunder–Raptors
- Is chet holmgren able to play? His questionable designation for low back spasms is the headline item and will influence rotations, matchups and minutes distribution if he is unavailable or limited.
- Can OKC follow up its big win? The Thunder pulled off one of their biggest wins recently, building a 20-point lead against Cleveland and hanging on through a back-and-forth second half. How the team sustains that momentum tonight is a key storyline.
- Roster depth and injuries matter more than ever. Oklahoma City has dealt with injuries to several of its top players this season; with more absences the rotation could be stress-tested on the road.
Thunder momentum after Cleveland
Few gave Oklahoma City a chance against Cleveland on Sunday, with the Thunder down several ball-handlers and facing an opponent that entered on a seven-game win-streak. Instead, Oklahoma City flipped the script, getting off to a 20-point lead and then hanging on in a back-and-forth second half. That result helped the Thunder cling to confidence entering Tuesday's game in Toronto.
Standings pressure and a tough upcoming stretch
Oklahoma City has been treading water as the West's No. 1 seed for a few weeks now, with San Antonio hot on their heels. They survived the afternoon bout against Cleveland, but now have a tough week ahead in Toronto, Detroit, Denver and Dallas. The outcome of Tuesday's game will factor into how the Thunder navigate that slate and protect their position.
Raptors status and context for tonight
The Toronto Raptors have been among the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season and are currently sitting as the five-seed. Their standing and form make this a meaningful test for a Thunder squad managing health concerns and a demanding schedule.
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Details may evolve leading up to tip-off; the injury statuses above reflect the listed designations in the pregame report for tonight's matchup.
