Takeaways: OKC Thunder winning streak snapped vs Sixers

2022 second-overall pick Chet Holmgren’s career started rocky as the seven-footer was forced to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign due to a fractured foot. With that in the past, Holmgren is off to a stellar start this season and might give Victor Wembanyama a run for the Rookie of the Year award.

Holmgren is playing much more under control as of late; over his last seven games, he has scored 15 or more five times, his fouling is getting better as he has had three or fewer in all seven contests, and over his last seven, two instances with zero turnovers, on Saturday he only had one.

This is not to say Holmgren will avoid the proverbial rookie wall at some point this season, but that is far out of sight now.

Holmgren is also learning to use his long frame for more than blocking shots; his rebounding is also improving. He has had three of his six-career double-doubles over his last seven games.

Holmgren is set to face another test in the OKC Thunder’s next contest as they face the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves in a rematch of last year’s play-in game. Because the T-wolves boast a frontcourt of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, this should be another exciting challenge for the rookie.