The Oklahoma City Thunder’s remarkable turnaround in the past year has been largely attributed to the arrival of rookie Chet Holmgren, according to LeBron James and JJ Redick. Holmgren proved their belief justified in his playoff debut on Sunday, delivering a stellar performance that led his team to a 94-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1. With 15 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and five blocks, Holmgren showcased his versatility and defensive prowess. The 20-year-old joined Hall of Famer David Robinson as the only rookies in NBA history to record a double-double with at least five blocks in their playoff debut.
Holmgren’s impact was evident in the game’s decisive moments. With less than a minute remaining and the Pelicans threatening to snatch victory, he blocked Larry Nance’s shot, giving the Thunder possession and ultimately leading to a game-sealing basket by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Another rookie, Cason Wallace, played a vital role in securing the win. The former Kentucky Wildcat guarded CJ McCollum closely during the Pelicans’ final possession, preventing him from getting a clean look at the basket for a potential game-tying three-pointer.
After the game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault hailed the defensive contributions of his young players. “I thought we showed great grit down the stretch,” Daigneault said. “It was a bit of a brawl for both teams offensively, and we made plays defensively down the stretch, big-time plays.”
The Thunder, who boast the second-youngest roster in the NBA, displayed the resilience and tenacity often associated with experienced postseason teams. They will host the Pelicans for Game 2 of the series on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
