OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren topped his career night by helping lead his team to a 127-121 victory in overtime against All-Star Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. After Lou Dort's ouster For a key 2 against Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't double check for overtime. Holmgren finished with 15 points on 5 of 8 shooting, a career-high 21 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal against the Nuggets.
After his first All-Star appearance, Chet Holmgren captures a title Career high 21 rebounds It's a testament to the work he's put in behind the scenes, as he heads into just his fourth season with the Thunder.
Holmgren said, "I try to put a lot into my body, making sure I get stronger each time. Continue to be as healthy as I can. Take care of yourself." "I definitely think it's benefited me, and I've gotten better in a lot of different areas, but I think I still have a long way to go with my body, with my game. I don't want to let one night get too excited for me. I still have work to do."
Chet Holmgren on his career-high 21 rebounds: "I try to put a lot into my body, making sure I get stronger every time out. Just continuing to stay as healthy as I can. Take care of yourself."
I definitely think it has paid off for me and I have improved in many different areas... pic.twitter.com/hsvOB6tE12
-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 36 points, nine assists, two blocks and two steals in his first appearance in nine games for the Thunder. Oklahoma City improved to 46–15.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's blunt comment on missing OT in Thunder's win
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't hold back his emotions about missing overtime during Friday's showdown against fellow MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. After leading the Thunder to erase a 16-point deficit in the second half, Gilgeous-Alexander was forced to miss the rest of the game. He reached his scheduled minutes for his first game back after suffering an abdominal strain.
Still, that didn't make the process any easier, as Gilgeous-Alexander cheered the Thunder against the Nuggets from the bench during the final period of the game.
"I hate it. I can't wait for the minutes restriction to go away," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "But if I rehash this injury, it won't make any difference. So, that's the way I look at it."
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will face the Mavericks on Sunday.
