NBA Rookies: Thunder Newbies Continue to Help Oklahoma City Rise Through League Ranks

Now over a tenth through the season, OKC’s two hyper-efficient rookies continue to help the team win games.

At the very beginning of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the hyper efficiency of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rookies — Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace — wasn't thought of to be long-lasting.

And while that still may be the case, they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, both making a massive impact towards the team’s 8-4 record and Western Conference 4-seed placing.

Holmgren, the team’s galvanizing 7-foot center, has seen a dip in his 3-point efficiency, hitting just four of his last 16 tries. And even still, he’s still managing 53-44-91 splits with an earth-shattering 2.2 blocks per game tacked on.

Suffice to say, the former 2022 second overall selection has been a dominant force for Oklahoma City this season. Setting them up for success with vital two-way play.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Thunder.

Wallace, who was selected No. 10 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, has somehow been even more efficient. In just 22.6 minutes per game, Wallace is averaging 8.1 points while shooting a blistering 65% from the field and a whopping 59% from beyond the arc on 1.8 attempts per game.

His most recent performance aided in one of the top bench performances from an NBA team all-time, pouring on 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting (hitting both of his 3-point attempts) and finishing with a +22 plus-minus.

Both Holmgren and Wallace were drafted primarily for their defense, with obvious skill as offensive players too. And while they’ve both been pivotal to Oklahoma City’s defensive identity, it’s their offense that’s helping them assimilate into the NBA so quickly.

The Thunder will again look to a matchup against Golden State at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 18.

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