Chet Holmgren Stuffs Stat Sheet In Preseason Win
After missing his first NBA season, Chet Holmgren is finally getting his first taste of NBA action in the preseason. This comes after he injured his foot in a pro-am game last summer.
He was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft coming out of Gonzaga.
At Gonzaga, Holmgren played just 27 minutes per game, largely in part to the Bulldogs’ blowouts. But in his time on the floor, he averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.7 blocks per game. He also converted 39% of his 3-point shots on 3.3 attempts per contest. With this performance, he strongly competed with the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero as best prospect in the draft class.
The Minnesota native particularly shined in his last outing Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie stuffed that stat sheet in this one and gave fans some intriguing highlights. In just 26 minutes of action, he recorded 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. Holmgren also knocked down two of this three shot attempts from beyond the arc. Additionally, the 7-foot-1 big man recorded three rebounds, three assists, and a block.
However, Holmgren’s game action was more impressive than his final stat line.
In this clip, Holmgren slides with Damian Lillard, one of the best point guards of the last decade. He then skies up to reject a legendary pull-up shooter.
These types of plays are a theme in Homgren’s game. While standing north of seven feet tall, he possesses a versatile set of skills. He can stick with guards on switches, shoot the ball from deep, handle in transition, come of off-ball screens, and much more. This is all while being a dominant interior rim protector and play finisher.
Last season, Oklahoma City fell just short of the postseason, losing in the play-in tournament to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, Holmgren’s newly-added presence could change that. He joins first team All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rookie Of The Year Runner-Up Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey on the Thunder’s stacked young core. Holmgren’s strengths as a defensive player and play finisher will help complement the games of these three big guards.
The Thunder will continue their preseason play tonight as they take on the Detroit Pistons.
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