Jan. 16, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CT
Getting the train back on track, the Oklahoma City Thunder have looked like the NBA’s best team. They sit atop the standings and could break the record for the largest point differential. The reigning NBA champions look primed to go back-to-back.
As the 2026 NBA All-Star break quickly approaches, the Thunder could send a couple of representatives to the weekend extravaganza once again. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a no-brainer. If there is justice in the basketball world, Chet Holmgren should join him.
Holmgren has enjoyed a career season. He’s averaged 17.9 points on 57.5% shooting, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 blocks. The Thunder once again have the league’s best defense. The 23-year-old could take home the Defensive Player of the Year award.
After Holmgren helped the Thunder collect a 111-91 win over the Houston Rockets, his head coach and a couple of his teammates built up his All-Star case. Here’s what they had to say:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
“Chet is most definitely an All-Star. From the moment he stepped foot on the floor with this basketball team, we’re the No. 1 team in the West. It’s no coincidence. His game translates to winning and his numbers do too. I’d bet a lot of money he’s an All-Star this year.”
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“I’m not focused on that. I don’t even know how far away that is or when it is. We got Miami coming up. We got a flight going there right when we leave here. We got to get ready and prep for them. How I feel about that has no effect. It’s up to me to go out and try to win these basketball games. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Mark Daigneault
“I’m not going to go crazy about the campaign. But what I will say is Chet’s the ultimate winner. It’s evident by the amount of winning we’ve done since we’ve had Chet. His first year, we won 57 games and were the No. 1 seed. Last year, he obviously didn’t play for some of the season, but we won in the playoffs. And then this year. There’s a reason for that. It’s the rim protection. It’s the competitiveness. It’s the floor spacing. It’s the unselfishness. He’s going to do what it takes for the team to win.”