Thunder's Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace Become Only Two Rookies to Play Every Game
Oklahoma City's rookie duo became the first Thunder rookies since Russell Westbrook to play in every game.
Oklahoma City accomplished an incredibly impressive feat on Sunday afternoon. The second youngest team in the NBA took him the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It was a ridiculously tough field of teams and one of the best conferences in recent memory, and Oklahoma City sits at the top heading into the NBA Playoffs.
Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the biggest reason for the Thunder’s success. The superstar turned in another season averaging over 30+ points per game and is squarely in the MVP conversation. His two-way impact was unmatched, and his clutch gene came in handy on multiple occasions this season. He’s headed for a second straight First Team All-NBA selection and has turned into one of the premier players in the association.
Other factors certainly played into Oklahoma City’s rise to the top though, like Jalen Williams ascending to stardom. But perhaps the most underrated storyline is the health and reliability of the Thunder’s two rookies Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace. The pair of first year players should both end up on All-Rookie teams and contributed to winning basketball at the highest level. Oklahoma City wouldn’t be the No. 1 seed without Holmgren and Wallace.
Ironically enough, Holmgren and Wallace were the only two rookies in the entire NBA to play every single game this season, both going the full 82. The duo joins Russell Westbrook as the only Thunder rookie to play 82 games, and the first pair of Thunder teammates to accomplish it.
In addition, Holmgren and Wallace are now the first pair of rookie teammates to play all 82 games in an NBA season since the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo in 2008-09
Holmgren averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 52.8% from the floor. He also shot 37.1% from long range. Wallace, who some thought would spend time in the G League, played every single night for the Thunder. He averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He shot over 50% nearly all season long but tailed off at the end at 48.6%, while shooting an impressive 41.4% from 3-point range.
Both rookies impacted both sides of the ball which is so rare. Holmgren averaged 2.3 blocks a game and Wallace averaged 1.3 stocks. It was an impressive rookie season statistically, but reliability was even more important. Oklahoma City counted on the pair for success.
Now that the regular season is over, the entire team is shifting its attention to the playoffs. And Holmgren and Wallace are sure to play every game there, too.
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