It goes without saying that OKC Thunder big man Chet Holmgren has played an ugly brand of basketball thus far into the 2025 NBA Finals.
Despite being known as an offensive unicorn who can score from all three levels, in five games played during this best-of-seven championship, the 23-year-old has been highly ineffective in this area of the game, averaging just 12.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting from the floor and 14.3 percent shooting from deep.
However, even with his struggles on the offensive side of the ball, Holmgren has still found a way to remain effective throughout the series, especially in the rebounding department where he's dominated to the tune of 9.6 boards per game and a rebounding percentage of 15.0, both of which rank number one among players who have logged over 100 total minutes played.
His work on the glass has been so impressive, in fact, that, following his 11-rebound performance on Monday night, the sophomore has now officially passed Steven Adams for the most total rebounds in a single postseason run in Oklahoma City history, setting the new mark at 174 (and counting) compared to the previous record of 171 set in 2016.
Chet Holmgren sets Thunder record for rebounds in a single postseason
Surpassing one of the greatest board gobblers the franchise has ever seen in any glass-related capacity is truly an impressive feat on its own for the big man. However, for him to do so with it not being his primary area of expertise and while being clearly banged up is even more noteworthy.
Frankly, Chet Holmgren's efforts in the 2025 NBA Finals should excite Thunder fans and, simultaneously, strike fear into the hearts of other ball clubs across the league.
As ESPN's Tim MacMahon said in a June 18 edition of The Hoop Collective Podcast, "this will be the worst version of Chet in a while," as he's quite visibly rusty from his months-long absence with a right hip fracture, yet is still finding ways to contribute in significant ways for Oklahoma City.
As we approach Game 6 with the Thunder up 3-2 and on the verge of bringing home their first Larry O'Brien Trophy of the Sooner State era, Holmgren ranks fifth on the Thunder in net rating (12.9) throughout the playoffs and number one in plus-minus (+7.0) through five games played in this title round.
If he can be this effective at less than full strength, just imagine how dangerous this team will be with a 100 percent healthy and in-rhythm Chet Holmgren during the many playoff runs that are bound to come OKC's way over the coming years.