Date Archives → 6 September 2025

Thunder Rookie Thomas Sorber Out for Entire Season After ACL Tear

Thunder Rookie Thomas Sorber Out for Entire Season After ACL Tear The Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship glow has been dimmed by devastating news: rookie center Thomas Sorber, the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will miss the entirety of his rookie season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. The injury occurred during a team workout on Thursday, and the Thunder officially confirmed the diagnosis on Friday. For Oklahoma City, it’s a cruel case of déjà vu. Last year, fellow first-rounder Nikola Topic — the 12th pick in the 2024 draft — also missed his entire rookie campaign with an ACL tear. A Promising Prospect Halted Early Standing 6’10” and fresh off an impressive freshman season at Georgetown, Sorber was drafted to provide size, rebounding, and defensive versatility for a Thunder team that just captured the 2025 NBA championship. At Georgetown, he averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and solid rim protection, quickly establishing himself as one of the most productive big men in the Big East. The Thunder envisioned him as a high-upside developmental piece behind Chet Holmgren, giving them insurance in the frontcourt. Now, Sorber’s NBA debut will be delayed at least a year. The ACL Concern An ACL tear is one of basketball’s most dreaded injuries. Recovery typically takes 9–12 months, and while many players return to form, there’s always uncertainty around explosiveness and long-term durability — especially for big men. The timing of the injury means Sorber is not expected to play at all during the 2025–26 season, though the hope is he will be cleared to resume basketball activities by next summer. Thunder’s Unlucky Rookie Streak For the Thunder, this marks the second straight year their prized first-round pick will sit out an entire season due to the same injury. Nikola Topic has been rehabbing his ACL tear and is expected to finally make his debut this season, but losing Sorber is another major setback for the franchise’s future pipeline. While OKC’s championship core remains intact — led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Holmgren — missing out on developing their rookies two years in a row could have ripple effects down the line. What It Means for OKC The Thunder will likely lean more on Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and veteran bigs to soak up frontcourt minutes. Sorber’s injury doesn’t jeopardize their chances of defending their title this year, but it does slow their youth development plan. In a league where championship teams constantly retool with young, cost-controlled talent, losing Sorber’s rookie year hurts. However, if he can bounce back healthy in 2026, Oklahoma City could view this as just a delayed start rather than a lost investment. Long-Term Outlook For Sorber, the challenge is not just physical recovery but also mental resilience. Sitting out your rookie season, especially for a championship team, can be frustrating. But with the Thunder’s strong developmental culture and medical staff, he’s in one of the best environments to recover. If history is any guide, ACL tears are no longer the career-altering injuries they once were. Sorber still has the talent and time to make an impact in the NBA — it just won’t be in 2025. Bottom Line The Thunder are still favorites to contend this season, but losing Thomas Sorber is another harsh reminder of how fragile NBA careers can be. For Sorber, the road to recovery starts now — and if he can overcome this setback, his eventual debut could be one of the most anticipated moments in Oklahoma City’s future.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship glow has been dimmed by devastating news: rookie center Thomas Sorber, the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will miss the entirety of his rookie season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. The injury occurred during a team workout on Thursday, and the Thunder officially confirmed… Continue reading →

Spurs #2 Pick Dylan Harper OUT after Thumb Surgery: What It Means for His Rookie Year

Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs #2) Undergoes Thumb Surgery

The San Antonio Spurs were dealt an early blow to their 2025-26 season when No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper underwent surgery on Friday to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb. The injury occurred during a workout earlier in the week, according to reports from ESPN. While early indications are that Harper… Continue reading →