After being upset by the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, many expected the top-seeded OKC Thunder to be going out for blood during Wednesday's follow-up.
Of course, perhaps no one could have predicted just how hungry they were to make up for their opening night blunder.
Right out of the gates, Oklahoma City clearly seemed to be on a mission.
As if they were shot right out of a cannon, the ball club was found playing at an unbelievable pace on both ends of the floor, wrapping up the first quarter with a 45-21 edge over Denver while shooting a blistering 71.4 percent from the field.
The second quarter only saw this momentum smoothly carry over, as the Thunder went on to drop another 42, which officially set the league record for most points scored by a team in a half in NBA Playoff history with 87.
And who was the one officially responsible for pushing them into such a feat?
Chet Holmgren, of course!
Chet Holmgren thrusts Thunder into record books with free throws
During the final seconds of the second half, Holmgren was sent to the charity stripe after being fouled while hoisting a mid-range attempt by Peyton Watson.
Without hesitation, the big man stepped up to the line, knocking down the first shot to tie the Thunder's 86 points with the 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers. Moments later, he confidently stroked the second, thus etching Oklahoma City's name into the postseason record books.
Now, what makes this chain of events rather poetic is the fact that the big man had just missed two crucial free throws during the dwindling seconds of regulation during Monday's Game 1.
Said folly ultimately led to Aaron Gordon's game-winning fast break jumper on the other end to give Denver the win and, in turn, a 1-0 series lead.
Now, of course, Holmgren's contributions during the first half of Game 2 did not solely come in the form of his history-setting free throws.
By the time the half-time buzzer sounded, the big man had already dropped 10 points, pulled down 6 boards, and swatted away 2 shots during his 15 minutes of action.
In order for the Thunder to claw their way back into this series and, ultimately, try to win it in five, they're going to need all their core contributors playing with comfort and confidence.
During the first half of Wednesday's game, it seems that Chet Holmgren was playing with both, which is a great sight to see considering how their last game unfolded.