Takeaways: OKC Thunder have award front runners after Warriors comeback

Much like his team, Chet Holmgren has announced his arrival to the rest of the NBA in a significant way.

Coming into tonight, Holmgren’s previous season highs for points (24), shot attempts (14), and assists (5), he matched or eclipsed each one tonight.

He ended the night with a monstrous 36 points, ten rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals, shooting a 14 of 22 field goal percentage, two of five three-point percentage, and six of seven free throw percentage.

Holmgren stuffed the stat sheet certainly, but his most significant moment of the night of his career came with 26 seconds left.

The OKC Thunder, having tied the game on free throws nearly one minute prior, were looking for a two-for-one opportunity, and head coach Mark Daigneault drew up a great play to get Holmgren with space between him and the rim and to loft it up to him for the easy finish.

The play was executed to near perfection because despite having 33 points, Holmgren missed the layup.

He stepped up significantly to his credit to block Kevon Looney’s put back attempt with 5.1 seconds left. Only for Looney to corral the rebound and set Wiggins up for the go-ahead three-pointer.

Chet Holmgren then executed Daigneault’s After Timeout play, received Josh Giddey’s pass, turned around, raised, and drained the three-point shot to send the game to OT.

Holmgren made a great play, much like he had been doing all night. But someone else was ready to put the cape on once the OKC Thunder got to OT.