Chet Holmgren powers OKC Thunder to win over Magic

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their NBA Summer League schedule with their second game in Vegas, running up against the Orlando Magic. The Magic elected to shut down top overall pick Paolo Banchero hours before this contest. That was no surprise, given Banchero’s elite showing in Vegas. With the Duke product on the shelf, it did zap some of the excitement from this game, as we were robbed of a first overall pick vs second overall pick matchup. However, Oklahoma City Thunder fans were treated to another Josh Giddey summer league game, getting a preview of their newest duo between Giddey and Chet Holmgren.

As the Magic made clear, this is when teams begin to shut down their best players in Vegas and transition their focus from Vegas NBA Summer League to the offseason workout programs leading into NBA Training Camp in early October. It is unclear just how many more games Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren will play during this Vegas stretch. The Thunder play the Kings on Wednesday, and the Warriors on Friday, before their final game of the summer league schedule on Sunday against a to-be-determined opponent depending on how the pool play portion plays out over the next few days.

If this is the final game we get to see the 2022 number two overall pick, Chet Holmgren left the Vegas stage on a great note, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a win over the Orlando Magic behind a dominating effort on both ends of the floor.

The Oklahoma City Thunder see Chet Holmgren dominate against the Orlando Magic and power the Thunder to a thrilling 84-81 victory in Vegas

Chet Holmgren has been one of the biggest headlines across the NBA the last two weeks, and for good reason. He is a 7’1 unicorn that plays like a guard and many struggles to grapple with his NBA ceiling given his frame. In his first game in an NBA environment, Chet Holmgren dominated the Utah Jazz and earned praise from former Thunder star Kevin Durant in the process.

Against the Orlando Magic, Chet Holmgren scored 16 points, ten rebounds, two assists, and two blocks while shooting 70 percent from the floor, and going 2-for-4 from distance which included a jaw-dropping step-back triple.

Holmgren looked every bit as good as advertised in the team’s win. The Oklahoma City Thunder improve to 3-2 overall this summer, and 1-1 in Vegas.