Chet Holmgren Questionable as Thunder Head to Toronto for Tuesday’s Game
chet holmgren is listed as questionable with low back spasms ahead of Tuesday’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Toronto Raptors, a designation that adds uncertainty to Oklahoma City’s rotation coming off a big victory on Sunday.
Chet Holmgren listed questionable with low back spasms
The Thunder put Chet Holmgren on the injury report with a designation of Questionable for low back spasms, leaving his availability unclear for the matchup in Toronto. The team also listed other players in varying statuses for Tuesday’s game, which will shape lineup decisions for head coach and the Thunder staff.
Thunder riding a big win over Cleveland on Sunday
Oklahoma City arrived in Toronto hoping to stay in the win column after what the team called one of its biggest wins of the season: on Sunday the Thunder opened with a 20-point lead against Cleveland and then held on through a back-and-forth second half to finish the game. Cleveland had been on a seven-game win-streak and the Thunder faced that club while down several ball-handlers, making the Sunday victory notable as the club seeks consistency as the West’s top seed.
Full injury report for Tuesday's game
Here are the injury statuses listed for Tuesday’s matchup, as provided in the team injury reports for both clubs:
- 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
Tough road stretch looms: Toronto, Detroit, Denver and Dallas
The Thunder have been managing injuries to several top players this season and, even as they sit as the West’s No. 1 seed, the team has been treading water for a few weeks with San Antonio described as hot on their heels. After Tuesday’s contest in Toronto, Oklahoma City faces a tough stretch that includes games in Detroit, Denver and Dallas, putting a premium on health and depth if key players like Chet Holmgren are limited or unavailable.
Raptors enter as a five-seed; what that means for tonight
Toronto comes into the matchup slotted as the five-seed in the Eastern Conference, which frames Tuesday’s game as a test for Oklahoma City’s ability to protect its standing. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander listed Out with an abdominal strain for the Thunder, and Alex Caruso listed Questionable for a left ankle sprain, rotation changes could be significant if any of those players miss the game.
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Tonight’s appearance in Toronto is the immediate next event on the schedule; availability decisions for players listed on the injury report — including whether chet holmgren will play — should be settled before tip-off and will determine how the Thunder approach the road trip that continues in Detroit, Denver and Dallas.
