From college courts to the All-Star spotlight, Chet Holmgren is making his mark! But how did this former Gonzaga standout perform in the revamped NBA All-Star Game? Let's dive in!
On Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Chet Holmgren, the dynamic center for the Oklahoma City Thunder and a first-time All-Star, showcased his talents as part of "Team Stars." This team was a vibrant collection of the younger American talent in the league, and Holmgren certainly held his own. His most impactful performance came during the finals, where Team Stars secured a decisive victory. In that crucial game, Holmgren contributed eight points and impressively blocked two shots, demonstrating his dual threat on both ends of the floor.
The event itself was a fresh take on the traditional All-Star format, featuring a round-robin competition with three distinct teams playing shorter, 12-minute games. Team Stars kicked off the festivities against the "World" team, comprised of international All-Stars. In this opener, Holmgren chipped in two points on 1-of-3 shooting and grabbed a rebound, playing five minutes off the bench in a hard-fought 37-35 overtime win.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Holmgren's squad then faced off against "Team Stripes," a roster of seasoned NBA veterans also from the U.S. This matchup proved to be a tougher challenge, with Team Stars ultimately falling 42-40. Despite the loss, the 7-foot-1 Holmgren managed a rebound, an assist, and a steal, though he struggled with his shot, going 0-for-3.
But here's where it gets interesting: Team Stars managed to avenge their earlier defeat in the championship game, overwhelming Team Stripes with a commanding 47-21 victory. This is where Holmgren truly shone! In just six minutes of play, the former Gonzaga sensation poured in eight points, hitting an efficient 3 of 4 field goals, including a perfect 1 of 1 from three-point range. He also added two rebounds and two blocks to his stat line.
It's worth noting Holmgren's impressive journey. As the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022 and a reigning NBA champion, he's already achieved so much. His selection makes him the third former Gonzaga player to grace the NBA All-Star Game, following in the footsteps of legends like Utah Jazz icon John Stockton and current Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis.
And this is the part most people miss... While Holmgren had a solid outing, the All-Star Game MVP was awarded to Anthony Edwards of Team Stars, who scored a remarkable 32 points. The highest scorer of the entire event was Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers, who netted 37 points for Team Stripes, including the game-winning three-pointer in their 48-45 victory over the World team. Even the legendary LeBron James, playing in his record 22nd All-Star Game, contributed 15 points.
What are your thoughts on the new All-Star Game format? Did Chet Holmgren's performance live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comments below!
