After becoming the top seed in two consecutive seasons, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally have the NBA title within reach. And from the way they’re playing, it’s clear they know it. The Thunder are 2-0 up against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. And when talking about their success in this series, Chet Holmgren can’t be glossed over.
Chet has been really consistent for the Thunder in this postseason, doubling up on points and rebounds on the regular. So, it’s safe to say that the Thunder will need him healthy to make sure that the Timberwolves aren’t able to mount a quiet comeback in this series. So, let’s check the Thunder’s injury report to find out Holmgren’s status for Game 3.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report – Will Chet Holmgren play in Game 3?
Chet played in all 82 games last season as a rookie. However, after suffering a right iliac wing fracture in November, the Thunder forward missed a lot of games. He ended the regular season having only played 32 games after returning in February this year. But he’s been a rock for the Thunder once more in the postseason – a time when they need him the most.
Dec 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
So, Chet’s absence from the injury report must be a relief to everyone in Oklahoma. With no reports of him getting sick or injured, his status for the upcoming game is clear. Chet Holmgren is AVAILABLE to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. He will likely start like he has done for the first two games of this series.
However, Chet being healthy doesn’t mean the Thunder turned in a clean injury report. Serbian rookie Nikola Topic is OUT for this game. Topic is still trying to return to game fitness after a partial tear in his ACL had him sidelined for months. Nonetheless, he is the only player on the injury report for OKC.
With no key players injured, Chet Holmgren and Co. are in a great position to go 3-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But what do they need to do to ensure Anthony Edwards and company don’t pop off tonight?
OKC needs to double down on their dominance to get closer to the NBA Finals
The Thunder have built a commanding 2–0 lead in the West finals, and they can’t let up. They’ve shown they can overcome deficits and finish strong, turning both early struggles into big wins. Maintaining that intensity is key—every rebound, every rotation, every fast break counts. If they keep playing with that edge, they’ll stay in control.
Now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing out of his mind, averaging 29.8 points and grabbing 6.7 assists a night. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are right there too, with the former contributing 16.2 points and the latter, 20.1 per game. They feed off one another, making this team more than just one superstar. Keeping that chemistry alive means continuing to move the ball and finding open looks.
Dec 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7), guard Luguentz Dort (5) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrate after Chet Holmgren scores a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Defensively, Oklahoma City has been suffocating the Wolves. They’re forcing extra turnovers—Minnesota’s coughed it up ten more times through two games. And turning those mistakes into easy looks is key. Coach Daigneault preaches controlling the controllables, and they’re doing just that. If they keep collapsing on drives, contesting every shot, and hustling on the boards, their defense will remain a nightmare for the Wolves.
All in all, this series is poised to be one-way traffic if the Thunder stick to their blueprint. They need to protect their home court, but they can’t ease off even in enemy arenas. Stay aggressive in transition, pound the glass, and make Minnesota uncomfortable on every possession. Double down on that dominance, and they’ll march straight to the Finals and possibly do what the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden could never do.
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