Chet Holmgren’s Comeback Season Is Turning Heads - And Turning the Thunder Into Contenders Again
Chet Holmgren’s rookie campaign already had the kind of fairytale ending most players dream about - a championship ring, a key role on a rising Oklahoma City Thunder squad, and a seat at the table of the league’s next generation of stars. But for Holmgren, that wasn’t enough. Not even close.
Despite being part of a title-winning team, Holmgren came into this season with something to prove - mostly to himself.
A Tough Break, Literally
Early in the 2024-25 season, Holmgren suffered a hip fracture that sidelined him for three months. And while it wasn’t season-ending, the rehab process was anything but routine. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Holmgren had to spend a full week in the hospital and then four more weeks essentially motionless in bed.
That kind of downtime can derail a player’s rhythm, especially one who relies so heavily on mobility and timing. Holmgren had spent the offseason sharpening his game, only to have all that momentum come to a screeching halt.
“I Didn’t Like What I Saw”
Once he returned to the floor, Holmgren wasn’t thrilled with what he saw on film. He noticed the hesitation, the lack of explosiveness, the subtle differences in how he moved - and he wasn’t okay with it.
“He watched the film this summer and he didn’t like it,” Slater said. “He’s like, ‘I’m slow out there, I’m indecisive at times.’”
That kind of self-awareness is rare, especially for a young player fresh off a championship. But Holmgren didn’t just critique - he got to work. The summer became a grind of rebuilding his body, regaining his confidence, and fine-tuning the skills that made him such a unique weapon in the first place.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Fast forward to now, and Holmgren’s bounce-back has been nothing short of spectacular. Through 17 games, he’s averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
He’s impacting games on both ends - swatting shots, altering drives, knocking down threes, and finishing in transition. His rim protection has been elite, and his offensive confidence is growing by the week. He’s not just back - he’s better.
“You’re seeing the dividends right now,” Slater added. “It’s career-high in points, his rim-protection numbers are ridiculous.
He’s been a major part of 20-1. He’s currently the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year and he has All-Star aspirations.”
The Thunder’s 20-1 start isn’t just about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-level play or Jalen Williams’ continued rise. Holmgren has been a pillar - a two-way force who’s helping OKC dominate both ends of the floor.
The Dirk Comparison
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and the heartbeat of this Thunder squad, sees something special in Holmgren - something that reminds him of a legend.
“Then as he continues to get stronger, he will develop his low post and midpost game, kind of the way Dirk Nowitzki did,” SGA told Slater.
That’s not a comparison thrown around lightly. But when you look at Holmgren’s shooting touch, his fluidity at 7-foot-1, and the way he’s starting to pick his spots offensively, it’s easy to see where SGA is coming from.
Right now, Holmgren is thriving as a floor-spacing big who can protect the rim and run the floor. But if he adds a consistent mid-post game to his arsenal? That’s when he becomes a nightmare matchup - and a perennial All-Star.
What’s Next?
Chet Holmgren has already shown he can anchor a championship defense. That’s a rare feat for a player in just his second season. But the next step is becoming a reliable third scoring option behind SGA and Jalen Williams - someone who can punish mismatches, stretch the floor, and create his own shot when the offense stalls.
The tools are there. The mindset is there. And judging by the Thunder’s blistering start, the opportunity is very much there too.
Holmgren isn’t just back - he’s ascending. And if this is only the beginning, the rest of the league better start paying attention.