Selected second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren’s professional entry was delayed by a Lisfranc injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022–23 season. He made his highly anticipated debut in the 2023–24 campaign, where he immediately established himself as a franchise cornerstone. Playing in all 82 regular-season games, Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, finishing as the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award while anchoring a defense that helped the Thunder secure the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. His rookie postseason was highlighted by a first-round sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans before a second-round exit against the Dallas Mavericks, confirming his status as one of the league’s premier young two-way stars.

Holmgren’s sophomore season (2024–25) was a testament to his resilience, defined by a significant comeback from a right iliac wing fracture suffered against the Golden State Warriors in November 2024. After missing nearly three months, he returned to the lineup in February 2025 to bolster Oklahoma City’s title pursuit. He played a critical role in the team’s 2025 playoff run, which culminated in an NBA Championship victory over the Indiana Pacers in a decisive seven-game series. Following the title win, Holmgren solidified his long-term future in Oklahoma City by signing a five-year maximum contract extension in July 2025, entering the 2025–26 season as a champion and a central figure in the Thunder's dynasty ambitions.