How OKC Thunder Star Chet Holmgren Silenced His Doubters Against Philadelphia

When former 5-star recruit and Gonzaga standout Chet Holmgren entered the NBA Draft, there was one concern that echoed throughout the basketball world: his weight.

While Holmgren was clearly incredibly skilled for a 7-footer, many fans and even scouts worried about how he would hold up against stronger centers like Steven Adams, Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid.

In the 2022 Summer League, Memphis Grizzlies two-way center Kenny Lofton Jr. proved to be a tough matchup for Holmgren, fueling the belief that the 195-pound big-man wouldn't be able to battle with the bigger centers in the NBA.

After suffering a foot injury in a Pro-Am game prior to what would have been his rookie season, Holmgren was ridiculed for his lack of size even further.

After returning from the injury, however, Holmgren has had an incredibly hot start to his rookie year, erasing much of the thought that his size would prevent him from being a successful big-man in the NBA. Additionally, Holmgren entered the 2023 season at 208 pounds, a 13-pound jump from when he was drafted.

On Saturday, Holmgren once again proved his doubters wrong when the stellar rookie dazzled in Oklahoma City's home loss to Embiid and the 76ers, tallying 33 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

As he has been all season, Holmgren was efficient against Philadelphia, shooting 13-of-21 from the field, 5-of-11 from beyond the arc and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Holmgren also only turned the ball over once in 32 minutes on the floor.

While Embiid was able to notch 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, four blocks and one steal of his own, the reigning MVP shot 21 free throws and was held to 8-of-18 from the field.

While Embiid may have had a better statistical performance, Holmgren battled the 280-pound center relentlessly for the entire contest. Embiid is a prime example of the "big-bodied center" that Holmgren's skeptics believed he would struggle against, however, in his first meeting with one of the best players in the world, Holmgren was able to hold his own.

Holmgren and the Thunder will have another tough test on Tuesday night, when the team travels to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves, who currently sit atop the Western Conference standings.

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