The Spurs got the best of the OKC Thunder over these past few weeks, as they handed the reigning champions three of their five total losses on the year in a span of just 12 days.
To no surprise, the main catalyst in these triumphs for San Antonio was Victor Wembanyama, who has averaged 17.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a block on 53.1 percent shooting from the floor and 80.0 percent shooting from deep during these matchups.
In many ways, perhaps the only antidote to Wemby's otherworldly on-court heroics would have been a top-flight performance from his direct frontcourt rival, Chet Holmgren, who, sadly, is averaging a mere 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and a block on 40.7 percent shooting from the floor and 25.0 percent shooting from deep in head-to-heads.
Though it may have come a tad too late, during Sunday's get-right win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the budding star big man reminded viewers what he's capable of providing the Thunder when fully locked in, and why the Thunder have the most lethal counterpunch to someone like Wembanyama.
Thunder big Chet Holmgren reminds fans of elite abilities against 76ers
On a team with the reigning league MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it's hard for others to take on the role of leader on the floor. Against the Sixers, however, Holmgren found a way with his elite, two-way play.
The 23-year-old had himself a mesmerizing bounce-back game in this matinee versus Philadelphia, as he absolutely stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points, nine boards, and a whopping four blocks on 70.6 percent shooting from the floor and 50.0 percent shooting from distance while leading all players in plus-minus at +22.
With this, Oklahoma City managed to snap their two-game losing streak and add win number 27 to their top-seeded record.
Needless to say, this kind of eruption would have been welcomed with open arms against Wembanyama and company, especially during their Christmas Day bout, where Holmgren went MIA during the second half of their 117-102 demise.
However, when looking at things with a more positive lens, this showing from the Thunder stud was a perfect reminder of why the Spurs center is quietly fueled by his personal rivalry with Chet in the first place -- as made evident by last year's title run and by his All-Star-worthy start to 2025-26, Holmgren is one of the biggest difference-maker bigs the game currently has to offer.