Chet Holmgren didn’t simply make an affect in Sport 2—he made historical past, and he did it in a method solely Tim Duncan had earlier than him.
Within the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 118–99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday evening, the second-year massive man helped energy his crew to a 2-0 sequence lead behind a dominant all-around effort: 20 factors, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks in simply 32 minutes.
Holmgren is now the primary sophomore since Tim Duncan to put up a minimum of 20/10/5 in a playoff recreation, placing himself in elite postseason firm, per StatMuse. Holmgren’s uncommon mix of dimension, timing, and mobility was on full show in opposition to a Grizzlies crew that had no solutions for his presence on both finish.
Past the Duncan comparability, the previous No. 2 total decide can also be simply the fifth participant below the age of 23 in NBA historical past to hit these marks within the postseason. The opposite names on that listing? Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Amar’e Stoudemire—dominant massive males who left an enduring imprint on the sport.
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Chet Holmgren’s stat line wasn’t simply historic—it was environment friendly. He went 6-of-14 from the sphere, knocked down 3-of-8 from past the arc, and transformed 5-of-6 free throws, all whereas turning the ball over simply twice. He used his 7-foot-1 body to full impact, altering numerous pictures and shutting off passing lanes together with his attain and anticipation.
Defensively, he anchored the paint and helped maintain the Grizzlies to below 100 factors for the second straight recreation. His 5 blocks had been essentially the most by a Thunder participant within the playoffs since Serge Ibaka in 2014. Oklahoma Metropolis additionally dominated in transition, outscoring Memphis 48–8 in fast-break factors over the primary two video games. Chet Holmgren’s rebounding and talent to run the ground added gas to that edge.
Moreover, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder’s offensive engine, ending with 28 factors on 9-of-17 capturing, together with six assists, 4 rebounds, and two steals in one other all-around exhibiting.
After lacking his total rookie marketing campaign as a consequence of harm, the Gonzaga product is now proving that he’s extra than simply potential—he’s already a postseason difference-maker. Because the sequence heads to Memphis for Sport 3, the Thunder’s versatile massive man is exhibiting he’s prepared to steer, not simply observe.