Chet Holmgren

Plenty can be learned about a team when they're in possession of a late-game lead, and on April 22, 2025, Chet Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder taught a lesson of their own: lockdown, straitjacket-like defense doesn’t end until the final buzzer sounds. Unlikely to be chided, should he have allowed the Memphis Grizzlies’ heads-up full court pass to go rewarded with a score, Holmgren proves unwilling to concede even a moral victory, racing into position for a statement-sending chasedown swat. Holmgren’s final-minute rejection of Santi Aldama’s seemingly-innocent layup allowed the Thunder to — for the second-consecutive game — hold the league’s second-highest-scoring offense to under 100 points, all the while keeping momentum intact for the soon-to-follow Game Three. Enjoying the physicality and redemption arc of second trek through the postseason, Holmgren helped coordinate a blowout win through 20 points (on 6-of-14 shooting), 11 rebounds, five blocks, and three 3-pointers.

Championship Year