The Oklahoma City Thunder are having an incredible season, sitting at the top of the Western Conference with a 53-11 record.
They've been one of the most dominant teams in the league, and their recent 127-103 win over the Denver Nuggets showed why.
The Thunder controlled the game with strong performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 40 points, and Chet Holmgren, who added 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
The win marked their seventh straight victory, further solidifying their position as a top contender.
Holmgren send Mark Daigneault message after key decision
One of the key moments in the game was head coach Daigneault's decision to keep Holmgren on the floor despite him being in foul trouble.
After the game, Holmgren shared his thoughts on Daigneault's approach.
"His philosophy is exactly what mine would be if I was a coach. You don't get to take the fouls home," Holmgren said.
Chet Holmgren on Daigneault playing him through foul trouble: "His philosophy is exactly what mine would be if I was a coach. You don't get to take the fouls home."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 9, 2025
The Thunder's player comment reflects his trust in his coach and his understanding of the game.
Daigneault also explained his reasoning.
"I've said it many times, I'm gonna make the refs foul them out. I'm not gonna foul them out," Daigneault explained.
Holmgren has averaged 2.1 fouls during the 2024 regular season, 40 personal fouls in total.
Last year, he committed 197 personal fouls. This averages out to about 2.4 fouls per game, which is a manageable rate for a player who often takes on challenging defensive assignments.
His ability to stay on the court and contribute despite occasional foul trouble has proven his basketball IQ and discipline.
The youngster is showcasing strong versatility during the 2024-2025 NBA season with an average of 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game.
His efficiency is notable, shooting 49.5% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range, and 75.9% from the free-throw line.
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM.
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