After putting up an absolute stinker of a performance during their Game 1 upset loss, Chet Holmgren bounced back in a major way during Sunday's follow-up and, in turn, played a significant role in the OKC Thunder tying up the 2025 NBA Finals at one win apiece.
Coming into the contest, it was understood that in order for Oklahoma City to win, they'd need their cornerstone big man to bring his A-game.
In just under 28 minutes of action, Holmgren clearly brought exactly that, as he played like a completely different player in Game 2.
Right from the jump, the 23-year-old showcased more of an aggressive demeanor compared to last Thursday's series opener, playing physical, lock-down defense on primary assignment Myles Turner while fighting down low and getting into space in the mid-to-long range for clean looks on the offensive end.
In the end, Holmgren looked like his usual, budding-star self, as he finished with an impressive 15 points, 6 rebounds, and a block on 54.5 percent shooting from the field.
Following the contest, both fans and media pundits alike were left wondering what, in particular, the sophomore changed in his approach, or perhaps what may have been said between him and his teammates to help him snap out of his Game 1 slump.
Generally speaking, after such a lowly performance in this type of high-pressure environment, everyone could benefit from a pick-me-up of some sort.
However, during his post-game sit-down with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surprisingly revealed that "nobody said anything to him," but rather, let Holmgren work through the kinks on his own in the shadows.
Thunder knew Chet Holmgren could breakout on his own
"He's such a competitor. He gets lost in the competition and that's when he's the best version of himself. He's going to go out there and make mistakes just like the rest of us but his intentions, his intangibles, his skill-set and the things you just can't teach that he does on the basketball court will take over as long as he continues to have that right mindset," Holmgren said.
Throughout his two seasons playing in the association, Holmgren has established himself as one of the game's true unicorn-type talents.
With his elite rim-protecting skills and three-level scoring abilities, the 7-footer has some, such as The Ringer's Bill Simmons, already anointing him as one of the top 20 players in the league today.
Because of this, it's no surprise that many are convinced this Thunder team desperately needs Holmgren at his best in order to take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
With Sunday's performance, not only did he remind everyone of the two-way brilliance he provides on the hardwood when locked in, but he helped Oklahoma City look like the team that won the fifth-most games in a single regular season in NBA history this year and that stormed into the championship round with -750 odds to win it all.
Though their Game 2 win was undoubtedly a result of a full-team effort, it was Chet Holmgren's much-needed breakout that allowed OKC to roll right on through the finish line with their seventh double-digit win of this year's postseason.