Saturday’s contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Paycom Center marked the first time that Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren was matched up with Sixers star Joel Embiid.
It was an anticipated matchup due to the hype and potential around Holmgren, and what he can bring to the table, and how established Embiid is in the league. Embiid is obviously the reigning league MVP and many wanted to see what Holmgren can do against the elite players in the league.
Embiid won the matchup and the battle as he had 35 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and four blocks in a 127-123 win over the Thunder, but Holmgren held his own. The Thunder rookie had 33 points on 13-for-21 shooting with six rebounds and three blocks.
“I played against him before, but not in a real NBA game,” Holmgren told reporters after the game. “It was like pick up before so I knew the caliber of player he is. Not only from watching film, but also playing against him.”
After seeing Embiid in an NBA game, Holmgren had to give his respect to the reigning MVP and what he brings to the floor on a nightly basis.
“Great player and when you have a skill set, but you also have a physical ability in terms of his size and strength that complement each other, it’s a real tough guard and it’s—nobody’s guarding players like that one-on-one, you know?” Holmgren added of Embiid. “It comes down to team defenses and trying to really scheme and make things challenging not just for him, but for other dudes on the floor as well.”
Holmgren and the Thunder certainly competed on a high level with the Sixers on Saturday. Embiid and the Sixers were just the more experienced bunch. It was a learning experience for OKC going forward.
“I feel like again, we had really good moments of that, but as a team, we have to continue to be better, but that’s what the NBA is about,” Holmgren finished. “Playing against really good players night in and night out and competing, and I feel like we did that.”
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