Chet Holmgren has been fighting through some growing pains in his rookie season.
After a breakthrough game Wednesday night in a win over the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder 7-footer will look to build on the momentum Friday when the Thunder take on the Charlotte Hornets in Oklahoma City.
Holmgren had one of his better games of the season against the Nuggets, with 18 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, three assists and two turnovers in Oklahoma City’s 105-100 win.
He also hit the critical 3-pointer in the closing seconds to help seal the victory.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said Holmgren’s reaction to his dip in productivity – Holmgren had scored eight or fewer points in two of his past five games entering Wednesday – has been exactly what he would’ve wanted, though he also wanted to make sure Holmgren wasn’t pressing too much.
Holmgren said he was pressing a bit recently but has been working to get back to playing free.
The Thunder have won six of their past eight.
Friday’s meeting is the first with the Hornets this season.
Charlotte has won five consecutive games against the Thunder, with Oklahoma City’s last win in the series coming in December 2020.
But while the Thunder come into Friday’s game with the second-best net rating in the NBA, outscoring opponents by 7.8 points per 100 possessions, the Hornets are last in the league, with a minus-11.8 net rating.
The Hornets come into the game having lost five consecutive games and 12 of their past 14. During that span, Charlotte is being outscored by more than 16 points per game.
Already down starters Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams, the Hornets have also been without LaMelo Ball for the past three games with right ankle soreness.
Charlotte is hopeful Ball can return against the Thunder, but they’re also not going to force the issue.
Oklahoma City starter Jalen Williams and reserve Isaiah Joe missed Wednesday’s win. Williams was out with a right ankle sprain while Joe is suffering from a sternum contusion.
Both are expected to miss Friday’s game.
