Outshining MVPs in a dominant Game 1 win, the Thunder’s shot-blocking unicorn showcased an elite two-way arsenal that proves Oklahoma City’s championship ceiling rises with his development.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a 1-0 series lead to open up Round 2 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Given the 15.5 pregame betting line, the result was no surprise to anyone.
What was a surprise was that neither the soon to be two time Most Valuable Player on the Thunder nor the four time Most Valuable Player on the Lakers were the best player in the game. That honor would belong to OKC's 7'1" shot blocking, 3 point shooting unicorn.
Chet Holmgren led Oklahoma City with 24 points on 9-17 shooting including 2-2 from deep and 4-4 from the free throw line. The 2026 All Star also notched 12 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1 steal in 31 minutes.
"You can just tell how much he cares about the game and his game. Like he really wants to maximize his potential," said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Holmgren in his postgame media availability. "A guy who wants to be the best version of himself gives himself the best chance to get there. And it usually works out for guys like that. He just wants it really bad.”
In the unfortunate lengthy absences of Jalen Williams this season, Holmgren became the de facto #2 scoring option for the top team in the league. On one end, the elite rim protector anchored the best defense in the NBA. On the other end, he averaged a career high 17.1 points on 55.7/36.2/79.2 shooting splits. The Gonzaga product is a lethal combination of Defensive Player of the Year runner up meets highly efficient three level scorer.
The most encouraging thing for Thunder fans is that Holmgren is still just scratching the surface of his full abilities. He just turned 24 years old a few days ago. OKC's ceiling gets higher as Holmgren's ceiling gets higher.
"He's an ambitious guy. He's a bottomless pit when it comes to his work ethic," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said after the Game 1 win. "In the gym, in the film room, there's no amount of basketball he can't handle. That's why he improved. He really cares about it and wants to improve."
Holmgren himself sees a difference in the player he is in these players compared to the player he was in OKC's postseason title run one year ago.
"I feel I had some really good moments and stretches last year," Holmgren said. "But I feel this year... I feel a lot better physically than I did last year. I feel confident in my body."