In one sequence, Chet Holmgren proved he can go toe-to-toe with, arguably, the best player in the NBA.
While guarding Nikola Jokic in the low post, Chet held his ground and blocked the reigning three-time MVP's shot attempt.
It did not stop there as Holmgren raced to the floor, got the pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and threw down a poster slam against PJ Watson for a roaring response afterwards.
TWO. WAY. CHET.
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
What a sequence from the sophomore 🤯#KiaTipOff24 on TNT pic.twitter.com/g9gJUgzi4T
Round 1 of a perhaps West Finals preview goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Holmgren stole the spotlight in a duel between the top two MVP vote-getters last season as the Thunder toppled the Nuggets, 102-87, to chalk up their first win of the brand-new NBA season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 28 PTS, 7 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL & 3 BLK as the Thunder get the 102-87 win over the Nuggets ??
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 25, 2024
Chet Holmgren: 25 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL & 4 BLK 💪 pic.twitter.com/gp60EsYBzn
The 22-year-old came up huge on both ends of the floor, finishing with 25 points, career-high 14 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals in a fiery start to his sophomore year.
Chet in game 1??:
— Thunder Muse (@ThunderMuse_) October 25, 2024
25 PTS
14 REB (Career-High)
5 AST
4 BLK
2 STL
11/18 FG
He’s leaping. 🐸 pic.twitter.com/W7hkphwmIc
Gilgeous Alexander, who finished second in the MVP voting last season behind eventual winner Jokic, had 27 points, seven rebounds and eight dimes.
Shai dances in for his own ?? this time! https://t.co/hdRC5jl2Di pic.twitter.com/YMT4yIAccF
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
Alex Caruso, one of the Thunder’s offseason acquisitions beside big man Isaiah Hartenstein, collected six rebounds and four dimes despite being scoreless in 14 minutes.
OKC turned up the jets in the third frame, outsourcing the Nuggets 27-17. They ended the period on a 17-4 to turn a close 68-64 lead to a whopping 85-68 advantage heading to the fourth.
Furthermore, the Thunder, who became the youngest team ever to win a playoff series, held the Nuggets to a 20% shooting and had 13 blocks.
Another block ?? Another dunk 🔨 pic.twitter.com/FEGVeaPIjv
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 25, 2024
On the other hand, Jokic put up his first triple-double of the season after producing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. Christian Braun chipped in 16 markers while Michael Porter Jr. had 15 points for the Nuggets, who just shot a measly 18% from three.
Russell Westbrook had six points, five rebounds and five dimes in his Nuggets debut but was 2-of-10 from the field.
He checked into the game in the 6th minute mark of the opening frame, receiving a warm reception from the Denver crowd.
Denver fans loving Westbrook’s debut. 👏
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 25, 2024
pic.twitter.com/ZH788PcvCW
Westbrook, who spent his first 12 seasons with the Thunder where he blossomed into a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 MVP, made his first Nuggets basket off a drive and had a chasedown block on Gilgeous-Alexander.
The blow-by ?
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024
The block ?
Welcome to Denver, Russell Westbrook! #KiaTipOff24 on TNT pic.twitter.com/Go8FTZihB8
Russell Westbrook with a chasedown block on SGA ?pic.twitter.com/eMuYmxIUni
— Nuggets Nation (@NuggetsNationCP) October 25, 2024
The Nuggets continue to hunt for their first win of the season against the LA Clippers while the Thunder square off with the Chicago Bulls.
