The Oklahoma City Thunder have been dealing with a lesser-than-ideal rebounding situation for quite some time now. It’s hindered the team, and certainly in the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks which ultimately ended its season a year ago.
Beginning the 2024-25 season highly optimistic with the second-year promise from the versatile 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren, the Thunder had also brought in Isaiah Hartenstein from the New York Knicks—though, he wouldn’t be available until nearly a month into the season.
During his time recovering from injury, Holmgren suffered one of his own. Succumbing to a hip injury on Nov. 10, the Thunder had to weather a 10-day storm of not having a big man entirely—forcing the team to put out very small lineups and do what they could on the glass…