Chet Holmgren’s Drive Returns Thunder to Title Form

Ten days after the Oklahoma City Thunder secured the NBA championship, head coach Mark Daigneault walked into the team facility to find Chet Holmgren already back on the court. The 23-year-old forward, who spent much of last season sidelined by injury, was unwilling to let momentum slip away. For him, the offseason would not begin with rest—only with renewal.

Holmgren’s determination stems from a career already shaped by setbacks. His first NBA season was lost to a Lisfranc injury; last year, a fractured pelvis cost him 50 games and left him bedridden for weeks. Those experiences have hardened his resolve and informed the urgency with which he approaches his development.

Rather than basking in the glow of the franchise’s first title in over a decade, Holmgren plunged back into intense training. He recalls helplessly watching his strength deteriorate during his months of inactivity, a memory that continues to drive him. “Nothing’s worse for your body than not training,” he said, reflecting on the period of recovery that tested him mentally and physically.

Now deep into his fourth season, Holmgren is showing the growth he long envisioned. With career highs in scoring, rebounding, and efficiency, he has placed himself firmly in the All-Star conversation—and potentially much more—in a year where both personal and team expectations have risen.

1. Recovering From a Brutal Setback

Holmgren’s early-season injury last year came during a moment when he appeared ready to take a major leap. Teammate Isaiah Hartenstein, who trained with him over the summer, said he had never seen a player in such pain as Holmgren was the night he fractured his pelvis. It derailed what looked to be an All-Star trajectory. Before the injury, Holmgren had powered Oklahoma City to an 8–1 start and delivered a dominant 29-point performance in just 29 minutes. Just as confidence was building, everything halted. “Then boom,” he said. “Backward. It’s just so disheartening.” The aftermath was even harder. Holmgren spent a week in the hospital and three additional weeks confined to a bed. He described the mental toll as severe—days marked more by survival than recovery, isolated from teammates and daily life. It was three long months before he returned to the court in February. Despite the frustrations, that period fortified his mindset. This season, the urgency with which Holmgren trains and competes reflects the lingering emotions of those lost months.

2. A New Season, A New Defensive Force

The Thunder entered the season with uncertainty after missing Jalen Williams for the first 19 games. Holmgren, however, stepped into the void and elevated his role as Oklahoma City’s defensive foundation. Twenty-two games into the season, he is widely viewed as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. Oklahoma City’s defensive rating sits at a league-best 103.8, helping propel the team to a remarkable 21–1 start. Holmgren’s presence inside has reshaped opponents’ offensive strategies, anchoring the NBA’s most disruptive back line. According to GeniusIQ, Holmgren has held opposing shooters to just 39.9% on contested attempts—the best mark among players who have defended at least 250 shots. His coach sees room for even more growth. “He’s such a young player,” Daigneault said. “We still view him as developmental, even with everything he’s accomplished.” Holmgren’s blend of timing, length, and discipline has turned him into a mismatch for nearly every opponent. With his offensive game also progressing, he has positioned himself not just as a rising young star, but as one of the league’s most influential two-way players.

3. The Thunder’s Long-Term Vision

Holmgren’s evolution coincides with Oklahoma City’s broader investment in its young core. Over the summer, the Thunder signed him to a five-year, $240.7 million extension, solidifying their belief that he is central to the franchise’s future. Alongside reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star Jalen Williams, Holmgren represents one-third of a foundational trio built for long-term contention. All three players are in their early-to-mid 20s, giving the Thunder one of the NBA’s most promising—and sustainable—cores. Their championship run last season may only be the beginning of a lengthy window of relevance. Holmgren’s improvement this season has validated that investment. His efficiency is up across the board, and his physical presence—once questioned due to early injuries—has become a defining part of Oklahoma City’s identity. The Thunder rank among the league’s top teams in both rim protection and defensive versatility, with Holmgren at the center of both strengths. Oklahoma City has its sights on repeating as champions, and Holmgren’s continued health and development will play an outsized role in determining whether they reach that goal. Through 22 games, the early returns are overwhelmingly positive.