Chet Holmgren’s Game 2 Revival for OKC Thunder Embodies the Grit His Younger Self Asked of Himself

Chet Holmgren’s journey in the NBA has not been the most straightforward. From missing his entire rookie season to battling through a hip injury this year, Holmgren’s path has been lined with setbacks that tested his belief in the grind.

The 23-year-old has an abundance of talent, and the mindset to succeed as well, both of which have shone through despite the obstacles. Now, on the verge of his first championship with the OKC Thunder, Holmgren continues to show the same kind of never-say-die attitude that he arrived to the NBA with.

Holmgren, like the rest of OKC Thunder, did not have the best of starts in the Finals. As a matter of fact, the Gonzaga graduate played just 24 minutes in Game 1. During this time, he mustered 6 points and went 2-9 from the field, obviously below expectation.

Holmgren has quietly averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds for a team that has relied on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s prolific scoring all season. He has also formed one half of the best ‘big duo’ in the NBA this season alongside Isaiah Hartenstein. However, this is Chet Holmgren we are talking about, and if there is one thing he knows how to do, it is making a comeback.

“Still feel like I can be better.”

Even after a big bounce back game tonight, @ChetHolmgren still sees room for improvement 💪 pic.twitter.com/HegRaUXHyg

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 9, 2025

Game 2 saw the best of the Thunder forward. He had 15 off 6-11 from the field, grabbed six rebounds, and had a block during his 28 minutes on the court. What’s more, Holmgren also knocked down his 25th 3-pointer of the playoffs, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record 25 3-pointers and 30 blocks in a single postseason.

The only two players who have done that before? Draymond Green and Al Horford. But the stats and the records only speak one part of the story. Behind every bucket, every rebound, and every big moment is also a resilience Holmgren has shown evidence of right from the start of his career. It was most evident in a letter he wrote to himself back in 2022, and read in a recent video he posted on Instagram.

Chet Holmgren continues to stay true “to the grind”

Back in 2022, the baby-faced assassin was drafted into the league as the second overall pick. On the occasion, he wrote a letter to his future self, which he was seen reading in an Instagram video he shared on June 5:

“I hope you stayed true to yourself and the grind. No matter the circumstances or the outcome, keep choosing what got you here.”

It was undoubtedly befitting that the video was posted just days before his first NBA Finals tipped off. However, the way it has gone thus far just adds to the sentiment. Holmgren missed his entire rookie season due to an injury. He played only 32 regular-season games this year.

He did not have the best Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers, something his team was eventually punished for. Albeit through a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner, Holmgren has had enough reason to give up, and not stay true to the grind that he has always stayed true to.

Even after reading the message, Chet, despite admitting that the letter stirred deep emotions, said that it wasn’t quite a full circle yet. There was still more work to do. And that work, once again, seems to be paying off.

OKC wrestled back control in Game 2 like the champions they have looked the entire year. Chet Holmgren mounted a comeback performance like the champion he has looked like his entire NBA career. And we know, it’s only starting.

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Follow Rishabh Bhatnagar on Twitter at @Rishabh46781749. You can also reach out to Grant Afseth via email ([email protected]). To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college, NBA, and WNBA news, click here.