The long-awaited return of Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, proved more than worth the wait for the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. After missing nearly three months with a pelvic fracture, the versatile 7-foot-1 forward slid right back into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact in the Thunder’s dominant 121-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Holmgren’s Defensive Prowess on Full Display
While Holmgren finished with a modest stat line of 4 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals in 22 minutes, his presence was felt all over the court, particularly on the defensive end. The lanky big man held the Raptors to a paltry 12.5% shooting in the paint when he was the primary defender, the second-lowest mark of his young career. Holmgren’s signature moment came in crunch time, as he rose up to emphatically reject a dunk attempt by Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, igniting both the crowd and his teammates.
“It’s amazing. I missed it for a long time, and I worked really hard to be able to get back out there. So I’m happy and excited and look forward to continue to try and help us win and keep improving.”
Chet Holmgren on his return to action
Thunder Continue to Roll with Holmgren Back in the Fold
Even without their prized sophomore for a large chunk of the season, the Thunder have remained atop the Western Conference standings thanks to the MVP-level play of guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a deep, talented roster. Now, with Holmgren back in the mix, OKC looks even more formidable as they gear up for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
Head coach Mark Daigneault was quick to temper expectations for Holmgren’s first game back, but expressed confidence that the young star would round into form and make a major impact as the season progresses.
“It ties a bow on his return to play. His return to performance isn’t over. It takes a while for a guy that’s been out that long, especially a lower-body injury, to get himself back to game shape, endurance, rhythm, all those things. And so we’ll continue to work with him on probably a week-to-week basis. But it was a great start.”
Coach Mark Daigneault on Chet Holmgren’s return process
A Glimpse of OKC’s Twin Towers
Friday night also marked the first time Holmgren shared the court with offseason acquisition Isaiah Hartenstein, giving Thunder fans a look at what could be a nightmare defensive frontcourt duo. The pair’s size, length and mobility caused fits for the Raptors all night long, a preview of the challenges that await opponents tasked with scoring against this interchangeable and highly switchable tandem.
For his part, Holmgren downplayed his individual performance and statistics, instead focusing on how he can help the team continue to pile up victories.
“It’s not going to be the Chet Holmgren show. This is the Thunder. Whether I had an injury or not, that’s what it is. I’m just trying to go out there and help the team win in any way I can.”
Chet Holmgren on his unselfish, team-first mentality
After a promising rookie season and a sensational start to his sophomore campaign before the injury, Holmgren’s successful return is a scary thought for the rest of the league. With their franchise cornerstone big man back in action and a roster loaded with talent, the Thunder look poised to bring some rumbles deep into the postseason.