Chet Holmgren Reminds NBA Fans of Game-Changing Two-Way Ability in First Game Back From Injury

Last year’s No. 2 draft pick is on a mission to prove himself after missing what was supposed to be his rookie season.

Thunder forward Chet Holmgren gave NBA fans a formal reintroduction to his game on Monday as the once-touted prospect made his return to action from a Lisfranc injury that cost him his rookie season.

Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has spent the past year recovering from the devastating foot injury he sustained while defending LeBron James during a Seattle pro-am game last August. Appearing in his first game since the injury, Holmgren utilized every minute of his opportunity to remind basketball fans of his tantalizing two-way potential on the first day of the NBA summer league.

The 7-foot-1 big man took the floor for the Thunder’s summer league opener against the Jazz and turned in a well-rounded effort despite dealing some with rust. In 29 minutes of play, Holmgren recorded 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field, nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists in a 95–85 win.

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Much like he did during his dominant high school and collegiate career at Gonzaga, Holmgren flashed his game-changing defensive ability courtesy of a vicious two-handed block late in the contest.

Chet Holmgren 2-hand block 🔥

Salt Lake City Summer League LIVE on NBA TV.
Watch on the NBA App: https://t.co/LDfT93bQhD pic.twitter.com/6fCQl2RGLU

— NBA (@NBA) July 4, 2023

Needless to say, Holmgren’s showing served as a nice way for the 21-year-old to usher in his delayed rookie season and a potential Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign in 2023–24. Of course, the second-year forward will certainly have some stiff competition for the award and standing out, in general, given the hype surrounding this year’s crop of rookies led by another unicorn in Victor Wembanyama.

Check out Holmgren’s full highlights from his summer league showing below:

No surprise that Chet Holmgren had to shake off some early rust but still finished with 15 PTS (6/14 FG), 9 REBS, 4 BLKS and 2 ASTS in 29 MINS in a win vs. the Jazz in his first action since injuring his foot last summer. 2nd pick in the 2022 draft is still just 21-years-old pic.twitter.com/osPK6WzFOD

— DraftExpressContent (@DXContent) July 4, 2023