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    Thunder's Chet Holmgren, second-betting favorite on 2023 NBA Rookie of Year odds, could miss months with ligament damage in foot

    Potentially crushing news for Oklahoma City rookie Chet Holmgren.
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    In the most recent odds to win 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick out of Gonzaga, was the +350 second favorite at Caesars Sportsbook behind Orlando's Paolo Banchero (+280), the No. 1 overall pick from Duke. However, all books have taken the odds down with the news that Holmgren has ligament damage in his foot that might cost him months.

    That Holmgren got hurt was somewhat buried in the news cycle last week as it happened while the 7-foot-1, 190-pounder was guarding LeBron James during retired NBA player Jamal Crawford's "CrawsOver" Pro-Am event in Seattle. Holmgren tried to prevent James from attacking the rim on a fast break, but Holmgren landed awkwardly and appeared to tweak his right ankle.

    Holmgren is a unicorn with his shot-blocking, perimeter shooting ability and pin-point passing, and he put on stellar displays during Summer League action. But if there was one major concern from scouts, it was that the slender Holmgren might be injury-prone in the NBA against much bigger guys. There's no question that Holmgren will need to add bulk.

    The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting that exams showed Holmgren has potential torn ligaments in that right foot and a timetable is being determined based on further evaluations. One book had posted over/under season props on what Holmgren would average as a rookie: 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. Holmgren averaged 14.0 points 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 26.2 minutes over five Summer League games.

    Oklahoma City has never had a Rookie of the Year winner – although Kevin Durant won it in 2008 when the franchise was still in Seattle. The Thunder are set to open the season Oct. 19 at Minnesota. OKC was given an over/under win total of 26.5, but that's also off the board. 

    Which Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade? And which QB shocks the NFL with a top-five performance? Join SportsLine now to get Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called Jonathan Taylor's huge season, and find out.

    Matt SeveranceSeverance Pays

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