Chet Holmgren is expanding his game as the Thunder continue to rise while also stocking up for his case for the DPOY this season. OKC is increasing his usage, with Jalen Williams yet to return to action. All signs point to further growth for Chet, and this is just OKC’s 16th game overall. Now it seems that his improvements are indeed for the better.
At this point, Holmgren is finding ways to drastically help the Thunder win. There are a lot of games to play in the season, and the Thunder center is slowly building his career year. Not only is he averaging more than 20 points a night, but he’s also starting to lock up the DPOY.
Chet Holmgren is Unlocking His Bigger Game for the Thunder
All things considered, Chet Holmgren is launching what seems to be an All-Star season. He is making his presence felt on the big stage. It’s even raising his value further, which says a lot about what we can expect from him moving forward. For starters, an appearance in the ASG is a start, and so is a good presence in the DPOY race.
Chet Holmgren as the Second Option
We have seen a lot of debates as to whether J-Dub or Chet is truly the Thunder’s second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams showed his worth last season with an All-Star run, and even an explosive presence in the NBA Finals. In that season, Holmgren missed out on 50 games due to injury. He did come back strong, and he played a huge role in Oklahoma City’s fantastic finish for the championship.
So far, Chet is dropping 20 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on a staggering 59.9% shooting. As the second option for the Thunder, he’s dropped three games in a row where he’s scored at least 10 field goals. If you are not impressed, he also finished a game where he scored 9 of 9 field goals with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.
That’s Holmgren as the second scoring option for you. While Ajay Mitchell is dominating as the third option, J-Dub’s pending return may displace him soon. This just means that with Holmgren playing well, we may see Williams blend with his pacing, too.
Sharpshooting Chet
Surprisingly, Aaron Wiggins leads the Thunder in three-point percentage at a staggering 41.7%. Isaiah Joe comes second at 39.3%. The third? Holmgren cuts it close at 38.5%. That’s highly impressive for a 7-footer. Being able to space the floor, connect from deep, and create opportunities is something amazing for his frame. That percentage by the Oklahoma City big man is also the best of his career so far.
Mark Daigneault on Chet Holmgren scoring 20+ points in 5 of 6 games:
“He’s played great. It’s just a marker that he’s gotten better..”
Chet’s last 6 games:
21 PTS
26 PTS
25 PTS
11 PTS (20 minutes)
23 PTS
21 PTS
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) November 20, 2025
That’s a good note considering that Holmgren is not really one of the league’s best shooters. We all know how the Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama has slowly improved his game to another level. Wemby was way ahead of Chet last season, and he’s taken volume shooting as well. Holmgren, this season, however, has also expanded his shooting from outside the paint.
In fact, Chet has attempted 79 shots from outside the restricted area. That’s actually the most he’s had in his career within 20 games. But the fact that he is just 12 games into the season says a lot about the high expectations for the big man. More shooting, more mastery of the craft, and definitely more impressive results.
The DPOY Case
Holmgren averaged 2.2 blocks last season, which is the second-most since his rookie season. The last two seasons, however, have shown just how dominant the Thunder defense is. Chet is manning the middle for OKC, and is certainly the anchor of the defense, which says a lot about his growth in the game overall.
Do you teach your players verticality and walling up?
Chet Holmgren ‘s discipline in verticality shows exactly how to contest, disrupt, and block shots while staying legal. Watch the full video https://t.co/xCsMhMD8bM pic.twitter.com/bBpaE3pcW6
— Chris Oliver (@Chris__Oliver) November 14, 2025
With Wemby missing some time with injuries, Chet Holmgren has also moved up on the latest odds for the favorite to win the DPOY. As of the time of writing, the Thunder big man stands at +135, which is the best odds to win the award. After all, leading the league’s best defense is no easy feat. Yet their record says it all, much to prove his critics wrong at this point.
More Shiny Holmgren Performances
At this point, Chet is definitely gunning for an All-Star campaign, and is a sure lock to make it there. However, the DPOY remains a constant changing factor, with a Christmas battle vs Wemby coming soon. Still, no one should ever discount Holmgren’s elite performances as of late, which has slowly made him into the firm second option for the Thunder.
CHET HOLMGREN POSTER. 😤😤
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 20, 2025
If Chet is already playing at a high level in November, fans can only hope that he will be carrying the same pace heading into the next few months — especially when OKC vies for the NBA Cup once more.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images