Thunder’s Mark Daigneault gives Chet Holmgren ‘bottomless pit’ compliment after Game 1 win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held under 20 points for the first time in an NBA game since the 2025 NBA playoffs, with the Los Angeles Lakers deploying an aggressive game plan to slow down the reigning MVP. Even then, the Thunder took care of business rather handily. They took a 108-90 win in Game 1, with Chet Holmgren emerging as the team’s leading scorer with 24 points all while being a menace on the defensive end.

Holmgren is going to be key in this series for the Thunder. With the Lakers focusing their entire defensive coverage on SGA amid Jalen Williams’ absence, Holmgren is going to have to step up — and that’s exactly what he did in Game 1. And after the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault credited Holmgren for his relentless work ethic that has allowed them to improve every single day.

“He’s a bottomless pit when it comes to his work ethic… There’s no amount of basketball he can’t handle,” Daigneault said of Holmgren in his postgame presser, via the official NBA account on X (formerly Twitter).

"He's a bottomless pit when it comes to his work ethic… There's no amount of basketball he can't handle."

Mark Daigneault on Chet Holmgren

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/sUKIJhuSEr

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 6, 2026

Holmgren’s work ethic can never be questioned. This man suffered a serious hip injury last year but returned later on in the season and proved to be a two-way force for the Thunder in their championship run in 2025.

And now, Holmgren continues to just do everything OKC needs him to. He’s always there to protect the rim, and when he needs to step into a larger offensive role, he welcomes the added responsibility with open arms.

This Lakers series is going to be a huge one for Holmgren, as LA will want to attack the basket and play inside-out basketball. Moreover, Holmgren has the speed and range advantage over Deandre Ayton, so that could also be a favorable matchup for the second overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.

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