Hot Takes on Chet Holmgren's NBA Summer League Performance for Thunder vs. Magic

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 12, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is guarded by Emanuel Terry #62 of the Orlando Magic during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Chet Holmgren Show once again took center stage at the NBA Las Vegas Summer League on Monday night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder held on for an 84-81 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Holmgren dropped 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, in the win.

OKC THUNDER @okcthunder
range 🎯🎯<a href="https://twitter.com/ChetHolmgren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChetHolmgren</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_Wiggins_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aaron_Wiggins_</a> <a href="https://t.co/l6JtwkLm2a">pic.twitter.com/l6JtwkLm2a</a>

NBA @NBA
OH MY CHET! *Snatching it from the top of the square* OKC/ORL Live Now on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/U9tIZPFnXS">pic.twitter.com/U9tIZPFnXS</a>

OKC THUNDER @okcthunder
pnr perfection ⚡️<a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_Wiggins_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aaron_Wiggins_</a> ➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ChetHolmgren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChetHolmgren</a> <a href="https://t.co/0nDQSjLnP8">pic.twitter.com/0nDQSjLnP8</a>

He finished with a double-double, collecting 10 rebounds to go along with two assists.

The 7-footer continued to show why he can be a disruptor on defense, getting an emphatic block on Jared Wilson-Frame in the second quarter.

ESPN @espn
Chet Holmgren made his defensive presence known 💪 <a href="https://t.co/qVCr9xSDnT">pic.twitter.com/qVCr9xSDnT</a>

Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
This season the Thunder defense will be better with Chet Holmgren in the game.

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Chet has been awesome defensively in these last few minutes.

OKC THUNDER @okcthunder
BLK ➡️ REB ➡️ 🪣<a href="https://twitter.com/ChetHolmgren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChetHolmgren</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/nYn4auRB2u">pic.twitter.com/nYn4auRB2u</a>

The connection Holmgren and Josh Giddey are already building in Las Vegas has been one of the Thunder's biggest summer league storylines. The two could have a fruitful partnership for years to come.

Monday provided further reason for optimism.

NBA @NBA
The Josh Giddey to Chet Holmgren connection just gets better and better 🍿 Watch Now on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/t84P7uDFlI">pic.twitter.com/t84P7uDFlI</a>

OKC THUNDER @okcthunder
BET ON IT 🎲🎲<a href="https://twitter.com/ChetHolmgren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChetHolmgren</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/VBfG7TLv47">pic.twitter.com/VBfG7TLv47</a>

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Nick Angstadt @NickVanExit
Let me be the 37th person to say that this Chet/Giddy combo is fun.

Orlando Magic Daily @OMagicDaily
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Magic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Magic</a> have kind of mucked up the game here in the second quarter. Giddey and Holmgren still clearly a cut above. But the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Magic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Magic</a> are fighting. Love that part. It doesn't have to be pretty.

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Chet Holmgren on Josh Giddey: "It makes my life easy. I said it before and I'm gonna keep saying it." Josh Giddey on Chet Holmgren: "He protects the ring as good as anyone in the league."

Holmgren and the Thunder have a day off before they're back on the court Wednesday. Oklahoma City will face off with the Sacramento Kings at 8 p.m. ET at Thomas & Mack Center.