Even though Chet Holmgren has cleared the first hurdle of his three-month absence from a hip fracture, he still has several more to jump before he returns to his early-season dominance. The next 32 games are a runway for the seven-footer to head into the playoffs with momentum.

Chet Holmgren's return from injury makes the NBA-best Thunder even better. Last season's runner-up for rookie of the year was back in Oklahoma City's starting lineup on Friday night after missing nearly three months with a pelvic fracture.