Chel Holmgren is ready for some traditional basketball near the basket as he and the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for an expectedly tough first-round series with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Holmgren, 21, is making his first playoff appearance with the Thunder after missing the entire 2022-23 season due to a foot injury (Lisfranc) that happened in an offseason Pro-Am game.
Even though he had surgery, the former No.2 overall pick proved doubters wrong by playing all 82 regular-season games for the Thunder.He averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 29.4 minutes
He averaged in each game while shooting 53 FG%, 37 3PT%, and 79FT% as a rookie. Holmgren has also gained the respect of his peers and fans because of his willingness to compete with grown men on both ends, matching their physicality despite his lanky 7-foot-11, 207-pound frame.
His effort has also made him a strong defensive anchor for the Thunder, leading his team with 2.3 blocks per game and a 108.4 defensive rating.
However, Holmgren acknowledges that he and his teammates must get ready for a completely different challenge because the intensity and physicality significantly increase in the playoffs.
The young big man said he is anticipating his matchup with Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, who will present a tough challenge for the Thunder inside the paint because of his sheer size advantage and bruising playing style.
“I’m expecting him [Valanciunas] to be extremely physical throughout the series and we’ll be prepared for that, Holmgren told reporters
via Clemente Almanza of Thunderwire.com. Holmgren vs. Valanciunas Matchup
Even though they lost
Zion Williamson to a hamstring injury, the Pelicans have several big, athletic players who can make driving lanes tougher to penetrate for the Thunder throughout the series. And Valanciunas is one of them. Standing at 6-foot-11, 265-pound, the 31-year-old Valanciunas has been a strong presence for the Pelicans for the last three seasons.
Although his numbers have fallen this season, the big man still plays a crucial role for the Pelicans as their starting center.
Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 29 minutes per game in the regular season,
according to ESPN stats. He also shot a team-best 55.9% from the field with almost a block per game. In the three games he played against Holmgren, Valanciunas averaged almost similar numbers with 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.
Surprisingly, the Thunder center outperformed his regular-season averages in the three games he played against Valanciunas. He posted 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 55.8 percent from the floor in 33.7 minutes per game.
Holmgren Shines in Game 1
The Thunder won the first game of the series against the Pelicans with a 94-92 victory in Game 1 last April 21 at Paycom Center.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led his team with 28 points on 11-for-28 shooting. He also made the most crucial shot of the game – a 13-foot floater that put the Thunder ahead by two, 92-90, with 32.1 ticks left on the clock.
Holmgren also impressed in his first playoff game, scoring 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting with 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. Meanwhile, Valanciunas collected 20 rebounds and contributed 13 points in a losing game.
Chel Holmgren is prepared for some traditional basketball in the low post as he and the Oklahoma City Thunder start a potentially physical first-round series with the New Orleans Pelicans. Holmgren, 21, is having his first playoff experience with the Thunder after missing the entire 2022-23 season due to a foot injury (Lisfranc) he […]
