Thunder Rookies Set to Give OKC Unique Playoff Look

The Thunder’s two star rookies could make a significant impact in the playoffs.

Nov 6, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) is defended by / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder are gearing up for a playoff run, and youth will play a significant role.

That should not come as a surprise, given that Oklahoma City has one of the youngest rosters in the league. However, the team’s reliance on a couple of impactful rookies is not often seen.

Although he was on the roster last season, Thunder center Chet Holmgren is completing his first season playing in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama has run away with Rookie of the Year, but Holmgren would have had a strong case in most other seasons.

This season, Holmgren has averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. He has also been a reliable shooter for the Thunder, shooting 37.2% from 3-point range on 4.3 attempts.

Along with his impressive stats, Holmgren has transformed how the Thunder play. As a 7-footer, Holmgren has provided the Thunder with the legitimate inside presence they have missed over the past few seasons.

Meanwhile, Cason Wallace has also been a vital part of Oklahoma City’s seventh-ranked defense. In year one, Wallace has already drawn comparisons to Lu Dort and has taken no time to earn the trust of his teammates and coaches. 

Along with his impressive defense, Wallace has helped the Thunder be one of the league’s best shooting teams. Making 41.9% of his shots from beyond the arc, Wallace has averaged 6.9 points.

The Thunder’s two rookie stars have also been the most reliable to step on the floor, with both playing in all of the team’s first 76 contests, combining for 50.5 minutes per game. Considering the Thunder’s success, playing rookies this much is unusual.

Barring any drastic changes, the Thunder will be the first team to be a top-three seed and have a player finish top-three in Rookie of the Year since Ben Simmons won the award with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018. If the Thunder can secure the top seed in the West, they would be the first such team to finish first since the New Jersey Nets and Richard Jefferson did so in 2002.

Oklahoma City has also been compared to other recent young teams, but almost none of those come close to the Thunder’s rookie usage. The Memphis Grizzlies had only one rookie in their top 13 players in minutes per game in 2022, with Ziaire Williams averaging 21.7.

However, the Boston Celtics, with rookie Jayson Tatum in 2018, finished as the second seed and were a win away from making the NBA Finals. 

The Thunder might not find the same success as those teams in the playoffs. But if they are able to make a deep run with so many minutes from rookies, it would be an impressive and rare feat.

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