Thunder take on Pistons in what may be battle of big men
The last time Chet Holmgren and Jalen Duren met in an important game—the
second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament—Holmgren got the better of Duren in Gonzaga’s 82-78 win over Memphis.
On Monday night in Oklahoma City, Holmgren and Duren squared off for the first time in the NBA regular season.
Holmgren set a Thunder rookie record with seven blocks in his second game after missing last season with a foot injury.
Duren, a second-year player, is leading the NBA in rebounding with 15.3 per game through three games.
“I’m feeling really comfortable in my second season, but that’s not because of me,” Duren said. “My teammates and coaches have helped me make the game a lot easier.”
Duren has clicked particularly well with Cade Cunningham.
The pair is expected to play a key role in the Pistons’ future after Cunningham was the top overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft and Duren was picked 13th overall in 2022.
The two played together in just nine games last season before Cunningham suffered a stress fracture in his left shin that ended his sophomore season.
Through three games, the duo is averaging more than 40 points and 18 rebounds.
“I think Cade and I are just kind of a match,” Duren said. “He’s got a high IQ and I’ve got a high IQ, and we know the type of players we are.
“When he’s got the ball in his hands, good things are going to happen. So I’m trying to get the ball to him.”
Holmgren has drawn plenty of tough assignments early in his rookie season, but none tougher than facing Denver’s Nikola Jokic in Sunday’s 128-95 loss to the defending champions.
The two played together in just nine games last season before Cunningham suffered a stress fracture in his left shin that ended his sophomore season.
Through three games, the duo is averaging more than 40 points and 18 rebounds.
“I think Cade and I are just kind of a match,” Duren said. “He’s got a high IQ and I’ve got a high IQ, and we know the type of players we are.
“When he’s got the ball in his hands, good things are going to happen. So I’m trying to get the ball to him.”
Holmgren has drawn plenty of tough assignments early in his rookie season, but none tougher than facing Denver’s Nikola Jokic in Sunday’s 128-95 loss to the defending champions.
James Wiseman (finger) could make his season debut for the Pistons. He’s listed as probable for Monday’s game, though Bojan Bogdanovic (right calf strain), Isaiah Livers (left ankle sprain) and Monte Morris (right quadriceps strain) remain out.
Jaylin Williams (right hamstring strain) and Kenrich Williams (lower back spasms) remain out for Oklahoma City.
The game is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The teams have split their season series each of the last two seasons.
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