OKC Thunder falls to Detroit Pistons in NBA preseason finale in Tulsa

TULSA — Chet Holmgren showcased his mathematical prowess on Thursday night. He was busy adding points to the Thunder’s total and subtracting them from the Pistons’ total. The Thunder rookie made a strong impact on both ends of the court during the team’s final preseason game. Although he only played in the first half, fans in Green Country got a firsthand glimpse of the hype surrounding Holmgren.

In one sequence during the second quarter, Holmgren drained a 3-pointer and then, just 10 seconds later, he denied Pistons guard Jaden Ivey with a powerful two-handed block. This was Holmgren’s second block of the game, and both were equally impressive. With 10 points, four rebounds, and three blocks in just 13 minutes, Holmgren proved that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault spoke highly of Holmgren’s progress, commending his hard work and discipline during his rehabilitation. Daigneault expressed his happiness for Holmgren, stating that he’s glad to see him back on the court and competing. Holmgren is now set to make his NBA debut on Wednesday in Chicago, and he couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to play the game he loves and get paid for it.

The Thunder decided to go big by starting Olivier Sarr alongside Holmgren, forming a formidable frontcourt duo. Jalen Williams, typically the starting power forward, shifted to small forward while Josh Giddey and Lu Dort started in the backcourt. The only difference from the regular starting lineup was Sarr filling in for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was out with a knee contusion.

The Thunder used this game as an opportunity to observe Holmgren in different lineup configurations. Daigneault wanted to see how he performed as the sole big on the court and in a two-big lineup alongside players like Sarr or Jaylin Williams. The team gathered valuable information from this experiment, especially regarding Holmgren’s defensive abilities outside of pick-and-roll situations. With Sarr guarding the main roller, Holmgren excelled as a weak-side defender, showcasing his rim-protecting skills.

Daigneault mentioned that many teams utilize this strategy with their rim protectors, citing examples like Jaren Jackson Jr., Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green. The Thunder wants to see how Holmgren performs in pick-and-roll situations as well, considering the offensive trade-offs it may present. If opposing centers have to guard Holmgren, it could create a dilemma for them, but the team is also curious to see how smaller players match up against him and how it affects the rest of the lineup.

Interestingly, the Thunder and Pistons will face each other again in their regular-season matchup on October 30. Monty Williams, the Pistons’ new head coach, recently joined the team after coaching the Suns for the past four seasons. Daigneault, on the other hand, has been guiding the Thunder through a rebuild and has maintained a competitive and sharp style of play, regardless of the talent level on the roster.

Despite injuries to Kenrich Williams, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Jaylin Williams, the Thunder put up a strong fight against the Pistons. The game had its share of exciting moments, including a collision between Holmgren and Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson at the rim. Thompson attempted to dunk over Holmgren but missed, drawing a foul in the process.

Overall, the Thunder gleaned valuable insights from this preseason game, particularly regarding Holmgren’s versatility and impact on both ends of the court. With his impressive performance, Holmgren has justified the investment the Thunder has made in him. As the regular season approaches, the team has high hopes for Holmgren’s continued growth and contributions on the court.

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Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.