In his second NBA game, Chet Holmgren dominated the defense with his wonderful performance. After an average NBA debut that left fans wanting just a little bit more, Holmgren delivered in game two. Not only did he perform admirably, but he also helped Oklahoma City win two games for the first time since 2016.
In his NBA debut, Chet Holmgren did not register a single block, but he more than made up for it in his second game. Holmgren blocked seven Cleveland Cavaliers shots with his huge presence. Chet Holmgren set a rookie record for the OKC Thunder for most blocked shots in a game with that performance.
@nba please go watch the tape and give me the correct # of blocks. Idc about stats but I worked hard af for those😂 good W thunder up lol
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) October 28, 2023
After his 2nd game, in the post-match interview, Chet explained, “Yeah, man. The first game, I had zero blocks and I had four rebounds. You Know I just thought that was unlike myself, and I held myself to a standard, and I feel like that was unacceptable. Obviously, first game in NBA ever, a lot going on, You know I felt like I took a lot of things from that.
“I was able to learn a lot and apply it tonight and I really wanted to start the game with my energy on the defensive end and just let everything else come from that instead of worrying about something and letting it take away from them and I just came out with an extreme focus on the defensive end tonight. I feel like it paid dividends for myself as well as the team.” said Holmgren.
Chet Holmgren puts on an impressive two-way performance in the @okcthunder win!
🔥 16 PTS (5/9 FGM)
🔥 13 REB
🔥 7 BLK pic.twitter.com/vxgQouqE8i— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 34-point scorer for the Thunder, expressed his admiration for the rookie’s performance. With 1:03 remaining, Holmgren tied the score at 102-102 with an uncontested three from the top of the key. Holmgren finished the game 3-for-4 from the 3-point line.
Chet Holmgren sets new OKC Thunder rookie record
Chet Holmgren, a rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was inspired to make an impression in his second game after a lackluster debut. Holmgren had an amazing +14 BPM and scored 11 points on 57 percent shooting despite having few rebounds and blocks.
“First game, I had 0 blocks and I had 4 rebounds. I thought that was unlike myself, and I hold myself to a standard, and I felt like that was unacceptable.”
Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren on finishing his second NBA game with 7 blocks and 13 rebounds 😤pic.twitter.com/XSGLGn3TRR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 28, 2023
Dissatisfied with the way he played, Holmgren went out to show himself against Cleveland in the following game, and he succeeded above expectations. His seven blocks, 16 points, and 13 rebounds in a single game broke Oklahoma City’s rookie record for blocks in a game. With his commanding performance, Holmgren demonstrated his ability to alter the course of games on both ends of the court.
“That was unacceptable,” Holmgren told the AP news about his performance against the Chicago Bulls. “I was able to apply what I learned from it tonight.” Chet shut his haters up with a commanding performance in his 2nd NBA game.
In a single game, Holmgren made NBA history by being the tenth player to block 7 attempts and make three 3-pointers. Along with Kevin Durant, Kristaps Porzingis, Myles Turner, Jaren Jackson Jr., DeMarcus Cousins, Raef LaFrentz, Chris Boucher, Eddie Griffin, and Brook Lopez (four times), Chet too has joined this elite list now.