In the second quarter, Chet Holmgren drove to the hoop and made a score via contact. Holmgren collapsed to the court and spread his long arms wide as the ball passed through the net.
The Thunder rookie appeared worn out. He had scratches and bruises. But he had returned.
In his first competitive game after a year of rest following surgery for a Lisfranc ailment to his right foot, Holmgren battled early rust in the opening frame before finding his flow.
The Salt Lake Summer League began Monday night with the Thunder defeating the Jazz 95-85, but Holmgren's much anticipated return was the main focus.
"It’s great just to be able to be in an actual game again for the last 11 months, or whatever it’s been,” Holmgren said. “It’s really been competing with myself just to stay in it. I feel like I followed everything to a T, so this was kind of like the reward for that.” , He quoted.
The 7-foot-1 centre made his debut and participated for 29 minutes. On 6-of-14 shooting, he scored 15 points, with all but one of his basket-area efforts. Holmgren's field goal attempts were 3-of-6. He contributed two assists and nine rebounds.
Holmgren's best moments tended to be on defence. Midway in the fourth quarter, he swallowed a shot to record his fourth game-high block.
Note: In his Salt Lake City Summer League debut last season, Holmgren had six blocks.