Thunder’s newcomer Chet Holmgren triumphed in his center duel against Jonas Valanciunas, propelling Oklahoma City to a decisive 124-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2 of their opening playoff series on Wednesday.
Holmgren’s stellar performance included 26 points and seven rebounds, providing crucial support as the Thunder claimed a commanding 2-0 series lead. With an impressive 9-of-13 shooting record, he complemented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable 33-point display.
Gilgeous-Alexander lauded Holmgren’s contributions, emphasizing his agility and ability to disrupt opposing defenses throughout the game. “He was really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “He was in the actions, got out of them, and then put their defense in a bind almost all of the night. And he was making shots, putting it down. He was A-plus tonight, for sure.”
Although Valanciunas made an explosive start with 11 points in the opening three minutes, he struggled to maintain his impact thereafter, concluding with 19 points and seven rebounds.
The matchup between the two centers highlighted their divergent playing styles. Holmgren, standing at 7-foot-1 and weighing a slender 208 pounds, epitomizes the modern center, proficient in shooting three-pointers and defending multiple positions. He stands as a finalist for Rookie of the Year and ranks among the league’s premier shot blockers.
Valanciunas, standing tall at 7 feet and weighing 270 pounds, embodies the archetype of a traditional big man, utilizing his imposing stature to dominate near the basket.
Despite a strong start, making 5 of 7 field goals in the first quarter, Valanciunas faced more resistance as the game progressed, converting only 3 of 7 attempts for the remainder of the matchup.
Acknowledging Valanciunas’s skill and confidence, Holmgren emphasized his role in making it challenging for his opponent to execute plays in the post. “Obviously, he’s a good player and he’s confident in his ability,” Holmgren remarked. “They’re going to him in the post, trying to have him make some plays down there, and it’s my job to make those plays as tough as possible. He’s a good player. I’m not going to shut him out on a decent amount of touches. So I’ve just got to make those as hard as possible, and it’ll work out in our favor if I do my job.”
In Game 1, Holmgren faced difficulties in the matchup, despite Oklahoma City’s narrow 94-92 victory. Despite his solid performance of 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, Valanciunas posed a significant challenge with 13 points and a whopping 20 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end.
However, in the early stages of Game 2, while Valanciunas dominated inside, Holmgren showcased his versatility by stretching the defense. He exploded for 13 points within the first seven minutes, sinking three 3-pointers. Notably, his 15-point contribution in the opening quarter marked the highest scoring output by any Thunder rookie in a playoff quarter.
Reflecting on his performance disparity between the two games, Holmgren attributed his improved showing in Game 2 to his readiness to capitalize on opportunities: “In the first game, I hit my first one and then threw up like four bricks after that,” he recalled. “So I just wanted to come out ready tonight to make my shots and capitalize on the advantages that we have out there.”
Holmgren played a crucial role in establishing the tone of the game by actively engaging with Valanciunas. Beyond his prowess in shooting 3-pointers, he demonstrated resilience by standing up to his physically imposing counterpart in the paint, utilizing his long arms to restrict Valanciunas to just two offensive rebounds.
Valanciunas acknowledged the Thunder’s aggressive approach, remarking, “They came out physical. They were aggressors. So we kind of — I don’t know what to say. Like, we didn’t expect them to play that way, and that’s on us. It’s not acceptable. It was a shame today.”
