Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the fourth NBA player under the age of 24 to average at least 15 points and three blocks per game in one postseason (minimum five games).
Holmgren, who just turned 22 on May 1, joins Hakeem Olajuwon (1986), Alonzo Mourning (1993), and Dwight Howard (2008) as the only players in NBA Playoffs history to do so.
Additionally, Holmgren became the fourth player in NBA history to total at least 120 points, 60 rebounds, and 20 blocks through their first eight postseason games. He joined David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, and Tim Duncan.
Players under 24 to 15+ PPG and 3+ BPG in Playoff run (5 minutes of games)
– Hakeem Olajuwon (1986)
– Alonzo Mourning (1993)
– Dwight Howard (2008)
– Chet Holmgren (2024)Great Chet history company 💪 pic.twitter.com/a7ETudIvtf
– The Lead (@TheLeadSM) May 14, 2024
Through eight playoff games this postseason, Holmgren is averaging 15.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 33.9 minutes. The 7-foot-1 center is also shooting 48.4% from the field and 72.4% from the foul line.
In Oklahoma City's 94-92 Game 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the Western Conference, he recorded 15 points, two assists, and playoff highs of 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren scored a playoff-high 26 points in Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In Game 2 of the same first-round series, Holmgren posted a playoff-high 26 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting from the floor, 3-of-6 (50%) from 3-point range, and 5 of 6 (83.3%) at the line.
During Game 4 of OKC's 100-96 victory against the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semifinals, Holmgren finished with 18 points and helped the Thunder take the lead for good after draining a 3-pointer and 3: 24 left.
“We just stuck with it,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led OKC with 34 points. “We just connected, we took it as yours. And finally the game turned on us.”
Chet Holmgren becomes the 4th rookie in NBA history to amass 120+ PTS, 60+ REB and 20+ BLK through their first 8 career postseason games, joining:
David Robinson
Alonzo Mourning
Tim Duncan pic.twitter.com/RDFpfkEu3t– NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 14, 2024
In addition, the Thunder tied the series after overcoming a 14-point deficit, Luka Doncic's fifth playoff triple-double game, and a Mavericks record 13 blocks.
“There is nothing free about the playoffs,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “I thought our ability to endure the early punches, and not being able to get back into the game for a long time, our ability to endure was a big time. Fourth, the blame turned on us.”
OKC will host the Mavericks in Game 5 on Wednesday.
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