Chet Holmgren Fires Back at Aaron Gordon After Officiating Comments During Thunder-Nuggets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Svyato Rovenchuk | Last updated May 9, 2025 3:38 PM ET

Game 2 of the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets was a one-sided beatdown. The Thunder smoked the Nuggets 149-106. Aaron Gordon was quick to find fault with external sources.

"They're fouling, point blank period, throughout the game," Gordon told the media after Game 2.

The Nuggets star was not happy with the way the game was being officiated, expressing a sentiment of unequal judgment from the referees with regard to what did and did not warrant a whistle.

Chet Holmgren did not particularly agree with Gordon's narrative of the situation. The Thunder star expressed that to the media leading up to Game 3 of the series in Denver.

Holmgren responds to Gordon's claims

After the conclusion of a Thunder practice, Holmgren was asked by reporters about Gordon's comments. His interpretation of the situation was much different.

"I feel like when we foul, we’ve been called for fouls. When they foul, they’ve been called for fouls.

At the end of the day, I only have one point of view out there. I can't see the whole play, every play, all plays. So, I can't really speak towards what's happening in every single play.

But I feel like it's a physical game of basketball, that's what the playoffs is, and we just have to come out and be ready for that."

-Chet Holmgren

Thunder fans have accused Gordon of being 'soft' after Holmgren responded to his comments. The Thunder big man certainly did not use those words himself, but it would be understandable why fans would when attempting to read between the lines.

Translation , he didn’t know Aaron Gordon was soft
— HawKTua (@chefboyarD83) May 9, 2025

Even after the Game 2 blowout, the Nuggets have the advantage going into Game 3 after stealing the first game of the series on the road. The Thunder will need to return the favor in at least one of the two upcoming contests at Ball Arena.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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