As the final buzzer sounded on Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, Chet Holmgren experienced the feeling of coming up short in the NBA Playoffs for the
first time in his young NBA career.standout had been sensational on both ends of the floor throughout his rookie campaign. Holmgren, who missed all of the 2022-23 season with a foot injury, showcased what he was capable of when healthy as he became the first player in NBA history to record 200 assists, 190 blocks and make 129 3-pointers in a single season, rookie or not. The 7-foot-1 post averaged 16.5 points , 7.9 rebounds and 2.
A second-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks pitted Holmgren against a fellow 7-foot rookie and Thunder draftee, Dereck Lively II, whose draft rights were traded from OKC to Dallas during the 2023 NBA Draft. The Duke product’s ability to run the floor and crash the glass fit the Mavs’ puzzle perfectly next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It also proved quite the challenge for OKC’s rookie center.
The Thunder were 20 seconds away from forcing a Game 7 back in OKC after Holmgren put down a towering one-hand dunk that put his team out in front late. What followed epitomizes the heartbreak of the NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander was questionably called for a shooting foul on PJ Washington, despite getting a hand on the shot attempt prior to hitting Washington’s arm.
If Sam Presti has paid any attention to the rest of the NBA Playoffs, he will notice the importance of having a versatile and athletic power forward who can defend in space and be a plus on offense. See Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets, Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas’ Washington as examples of big men who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
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