Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Chet Holmgren is a defensive legend in the making

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:46 AM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stated on the podium that Jalen Williams deserved to win Finals MVP "just as much" as he did, recognizing that he and his co-star will be "etched together forever" in NBA lore.

In the background stood a lanky 7-footer who played just as vital a role in bringing the Thunder a championship: Chet Holmgren.

The 23-year-old became the first player ever to record five blocks in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Three of those rejections came in the fourth quarter alone, the last of which saw Holmgren thwart a layup attempt from T.J. McConnell. In addition to protecting the rim, he switched onto smaller players and guarded the perimeter, showcasing remarkable agility for someone of his size by moving swiftly all over the court.

The term "unicorn" is used loosely to describe modern NBA players, but Holmgren truly embodies that. His ability to guard five positions is a luxury that not many teams have. That's precisely why Mark Daigneault played Isaiah Hartenstein for a combined 34 minutes in Games 6 and 7, knowing well that Holmgren could anchor the defense.

The 23-year-old had 11 blocks and four steals in the Finals, while finishing with a team-best plus-minus of 4.9. He is the youngest player to record 10 or more blocks in the Finals since Tim Duncan.

CHET HOLMGREN'S 5TH BLOCK OF THE GAME!!

THE MOST IN A GAME 7 OF THE NBA FINALS (SINCE TRACKED IN 1974) pic.twitter.com/hPtW8R97tu
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025

Chet Holmgren is the youngest player since Tim Duncan with over 10 blocks in a Finals. pic.twitter.com/MqEwtL47Ob
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 23, 2025

Chet is the first player ever with 18+ points and 5+ blocks in an NBA Finals Game 7.

Probably one of the best individual defensive series I've ever seen from a player. Struggled offensively for much of it but was great there tonight too.

That was a special game from a 23 y/o.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) June 23, 2025

At the start of the Finals, much attention was given to the Holmgren versus Myles Turner matchup. The latter was completely shut down by Holmgren, who limited him to 8-of-30 shooting over seven games.

Holmgren also did a number on Aaron Nesmith (2-of-10), McConnell (2-of-9), Bennedict Mathurin (4-of-12) and Obi Toppin (5-of-13) as the primary defender. Even Pacers All-Star Pascal Siakam (9-of-22) had serious trouble scoring over the outstretched arms of Holmgren.

If the Thunder turn into a dynasty, Holmgren would have played just as critical a role as SGA and Williams. His versatility on both ends — he will only get better as a three-point shooter — makes him the ideal modern-day big and a rare talent who should not be taken for granted.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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