Very few rookies have made their playoff debut like Chet Holmgren.
The former No. 2 overall pick out of Gonzaga has been a force on both ends of the court for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are on pace to win their first playoff series since 2016 after trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven . series against the New Orleans Pelicans. In the first game, Holmgren joined a select group of players to finish their first playoff game with at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Three days later, he became the first rookie in over a decade to score 20 points in a playoff game (Holmgren finished with 26 points) and was the first rookie in OKC franchise history to score in the minus 25 points and recovering five rebounds in the playoffs. .
That said, Holmgren’s impact on the game goes far beyond the historic numbers he’s put up thus far. His defensive presence and offensive versatility are a combination rarely seen in a 7-foot-1 rookie, let alone any other player in NBA history, regardless of size or experience. So even a low-key six-point, eight-rebound performance like the one he had in Game 3 on Sunday has a lot of significance to the win because of his ability to defend the rim, dribble the ball up the floor and face his defender one-on-one. can open up opportunities for his teammates.
With Holmgren’s intangibles and the stellar play of MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with the masterful mind of NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault, the Thunder can advance to the second round of the playoffs with a win against New Orleans on Monday. .
Former Gonzaga All-American Dan Dickau discusses Holmgren’s “phenomenal” playoff debut, as well as the latest news from the college basketball transfer portal and NIL, in a new episode of Gonzaga Nation.
Watch the full episode on the Gonzaga Nation YouTube channel.
Produced by Christian Pedersen.
