Dynamic Thunder Rookie Has Cavs' Attention Going Into Rematch

After the Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled the Cleveland Cavaliers' home opener, the wine and gold are well aware of Chet Holmgren's talent.

The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their week-long, four-game road trip on Wednesday night, taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center. In the teams’ previous meeting, OKC bested the wine and gold in its home opener, stunning everybody in attendance with a late-fourth-quarter rally, 108-105.

Rookie sensation Chet Holmgren was a huge part in the Thunder’s spoiler, putting together 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists with seven monstrous blocks and a steal.

“One of the things that's been most impressive about a lot of these young guys now is they're two-way players and they care about the defensive end of the floor,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Tuesday. “There was a time where all the accolades came from scoring. But these young guys, especially the young big guys, they care about both ends and want to be great defensively.

“He has a high-level understanding of the game and anticipating where he needs to be based on what's going on with the defense. Obviously the offensive piece, his ability to make shots, just spaces you out and gives everybody else more room.”

With OKC trailing by six at the 1:29 mark of the fourth quarter, Holmgren’s block on Evan Mobley’s direct attempt led to a Jalen Williams three on the other end. Two possessions later, after the Thunder got a stop on Max Strus’ layup try, Holmgren rebounded the ball, passed it to Williams, got it back and nailed a transition three to tie the game. It completely shifted the momentum back to the visitors.

During the first half, Holmgren was a rim deterrent and could have had more rejections than he was given credit for. He was a problem on fastbreak defense and did not allow Cleveland to get over the top, using his verticality to alter shots. 

Only when Donovan Mitchell started taking it into his slim frame in the second half did the Cavs finally have some sort of success.

“For a guy like him, if you try to jump with him or he has that length, he's 7-1, 7-2. So for me, my advantage is strength,” Mitchell said following the Oct. 27 loss. “Trying to eliminate that by attacking him and going at him, and that's where I had some success doing it.

“That's my first time getting to see him really play. He's a talented guy. Obviously, the seven blocked shots stand out. I think he's going to have to continue to put a little more muscle on his frame, and I don't mean that as disrespect. It's just like he's already good at what he does. I think as he continues to fill out, I don't know if his body will allow him to fill all the way out, but just continue to put that NBA muscle on him, I think he'll be a really good player.”

Oct 30, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dribbles the ball down the court against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Paycom Center / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Offensively, he showcased a smooth jump shot and solid handle, willing to swing the ball around the perimeter and make the next right pass.

“It's always amazing when somebody is that tall, that skilled and that fluid,” said Jarrett Allen, who missed the Cavs’ home opener but will play in OKC. “To be honest with you, I don't know too much about him. But just watching his game, he does it all and that's [all] you can ask from anybody that size. That's the prototypical big that the modern era is moving towards.”

Currently on the young season, Holmgren is averaging 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. He’s getting to the line, knocking down threes at a 53.8% rate and making his presence felt on each end of the floor.

So while Cleveland has revenge on its mind tonight, the team is well aware of what Holmgren is capable of. We’ll see how adding Allen and Darius Garland to the mix changes the game plan.