3 Takeaways from the OKC Thunder's narrow win over the Portland Trailblazers

Checking in on Chet Holmgren

Nearly all rookies will hit the proverbial 'rookie wall,' and it feels like that is where Chet Holmgren is right now. Unfortunately for him, it could not have come at a worse time considering he will be facing fellow rookie of the year candidate Victor Wembanyama on ESPN for Rivalry Week.

Across the board, nearly all of Holmgren's numbers are down in January from December, his points per game, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, and blocks per game have all taken dips. However, his assists are up, which is encouraging.

So far this month, Holmgren has scored in single digits three times. In December, November, and October combined he failed to reach double figures only twice.

This could be attributed to multiple factors, such as fatigue, matchup, and teams having further scouting, and is lightly a combination of reasons, rather than a single facet.

The All-Star break is rapidly approaching and hopefully Holmgren can use the downtime when he is not participating in various festivities to rest and reset, to be prepared for the Thunder's stretch run. And, perhaps his own run at Rookie of the Year.

Holmgren will have an opportunity to further his Rookie of the Year campaign this evening as the Thunder will battle the San Antonio Spurs tonight, the game will be on ESPN, so if Holmgren performs well he will have quite the audience to see it.