Thunder Star Chet Holmgren Delivers Cheeky Reaction to 1st NBA All-Star Ring

Holmgren admits he didn't know All-Star selection came with a ring, but says he likes the Thunder's championship ring "a little bit more."

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren received his first NBA All-Star ring after Team Stars won the revamped All-Star tournament in Los Angeles. Holmgren admitted he didn't know an All-Star selection came with a ring, but said he likes the Thunder's championship ring "a little bit more." The 24-year-old big man made an impact on both ends of the floor during the All-Star weekend, helping Team Stars capture the title.

Why it matters

Holmgren's cheeky reaction to his first All-Star ring highlights his focus on team success over individual accolades. As part of the Thunder's young core alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Holmgren is positioning himself as one of the league's premier defenders and a key piece in Oklahoma City's quest to defend their championship.

The details

In the opening All-Star game against Team World, Holmgren helped spark a comeback with his defensive presence, finishing with two points and one rebound in five minutes. He followed that up with a solid seven-minute stint in the second contest against Team USA Stripes, recording one rebound, one assist, and one steal. In the championship rematch against the Stripes, Holmgren contributed eight points, two rebounds, and two blocks, including a powerful one-handed dunk to help the Stars pull away.

  • The 75th NBA All-Star Game took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
  • Holmgren received his first NBA All-Star ring following the game.

The players

Chet Holmgren

A 24-year-old rising star for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Holmgren is positioning himself as one of the league's premier young defenders and a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Holmgren's teammate on the Oklahoma City Thunder, forming a core with Jalen Williams that is built to contend now, not just in the future.

Jalen Williams

Another key member of the Oklahoma City Thunder's young core, playing alongside Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't know that you get a ring for All-Star until I got it. It's pretty cool, it comes with a video and a box with it. It's pretty sick, but I think I like our ring from last summer a little bit more.”

— Chet Holmgren (Twitter)

The takeaway

Chet Holmgren's cheeky reaction to receiving his first NBA All-Star ring highlights his focus on team success over individual accolades. As part of the Oklahoma City Thunder's young core, Holmgren is positioning himself as one of the league's premier defenders and a key piece in the team's quest to defend their championship.