It’s the part where the Unicorn nails its landing. Game 1 dropped in favor of OKC, felt like the moment the curtain lifted and you suddenly realized the show had already started—and the star was in peak form. So now going to Game 2, is Chet Holmgren suiting up?
But first, let’s talk about Game 1. It was a 114–88 dismantling. Minnesota woke up wondering if they’d accidentally signed up for a demolition derby. Chet Holmgren played 26 minutes of pure two-way excellence—15 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, a steal, and 2 rejections—and made you forget he’s just a second-year sophomore, not a seasoned veteran.
Now the main question: What’s up with Chet Holmgren? Is he playing tonight? You bet he is. He’s nowhere on the injury report. And he’s not just available—he’s the bedrock of OKC’s defense, locked in like Fort Knox. No “game-time decisions,” no phantom DNPs, just a full, unfiltered Chet package ready to patrol the paint. And it’s not just the box score—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said it himself: “[Chet Holmgren]’s the reason why we are who we are today.”
“[Chet Holmgren]’s the reason why we are who we are today.”
Shai with heaps of praise for his big man pic.twitter.com/rL1gpRR1Hl
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 21, 2025
Let’s unpack the receipts. In 22 playoff games, Holmgren averaged 15.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 2.2 BPG—numbers that led all postseason participants in defensive win shares (0.9). And against Minnesota in his career? He’s put up 14.2 points, 6.7 boards, and 3 assists per game over six matchups. That’s consistency on both ends every time he toes the stripe. But the eye test tells you even more—Chet’s presence warps space, flattens drives, and shuts off entire quadrants of the floor.
On the surface, you see a lanky shot-blocker swatting away drives and stepping out to nail threes. But beneath that? You sense a seismic shift in OKC’s identity. This isn’t just “Shai and friends.” The 23-year-old’s presence forces Rudy Gobert and Julian Randle into uncomfortable angles, keeping them wondering where their big-man advantage went. By the time Chet Holmgren racked up those two late blocks, Minnesota’s attack looked like it was running through a wall of cement.
This isn’t just Chet Holmgren and hype. It’s a 10-man orchestra as everyone is healthy to go full throttle, and Chet Holmgren’s the conductor of the defense. Everyone’s playing with range, rhythm, and relentless roof-loving.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Depth Chart vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2
Bringing the same momentum of Game 1—a defensive clinic, third-quarter haymakers, and a rotation so deep you start Googling Sam Presti’s address.
POSITION
STARTER
2nd UNIT
3rd UNIT
PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Ajay Mitchell
SG
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Cason Wallace
SF
Jalen Williams
Isaiah Joe
Aaron Wiggins
PF
Chet Holmgren
Aaron Wiggins
Jalen Williams
C
Isaiah Hartenstein
Jaylin Williams
Chet Holmgren
From the tip, OKC’s defense hunted like sharks. Specifically, Shai, Dort, and Jalen Williams combined for 10 steals, which sparked a team-wide blitz that forced 19 Timberwolves turnovers. Consequently, the Thunder converted those giveaways into 31 points and pulled away for good.
By halftime, Minnesota still believed they held the blueprint. However, in the third quarter, OKC flipped the script with a 10-0 run. Jalen exploded for 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, while Alex Caruso (9 points, 3 rebounds) steadied the ship. Minnesota shot just 6-for-19 that quarter—proof OKC solved them in real time.
Anthony Edwards? Held to 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Julius Randle? He scored 20 in the first half, then vanished under the weight of relentless rotations. Ultimately, OKC did more than win a game—they imposed their will.
So, sure, you could call this a team win. But deep down, it felt like OKC’s system was daring the Timberwolves to be something they’re not. And right now? That pressure’s a thunderstorm, and Minnesota’s holding a paper umbrella.
If they can’t get their offense unstuck and their nerves unfried, this isn’t going to be a series. It’s going to be a speed run.
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