Thunder's Chet Holmgren shines in 'hooper's dream' win over Knicks

The rising star put on a show at Madison Square Garden with a dominant performance to lead Oklahoma City to a close victory.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 7:34am

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Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren delivered a standout performance with 28 points and 8 rebounds to lead his team to a 103-100 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Holmgren hit 6 three-pointers and played strong defense down the stretch to secure the victory for the Thunder, who continue to sit atop the Western Conference standings.

Why it matters

Holmgren's breakout game at the iconic Madison Square Garden showcases his potential as a foundational piece for the Thunder, a team emerging as a championship contender in the NBA. The win also demonstrates Oklahoma City's mental toughness in grinding out a close road victory in a hostile environment.

The details

Holmgren was the focal point of the Thunder's offense, shooting 11-of-19 from the field and hitting 6 critical three-pointers that silenced the New York crowd every time the Knicks threatened to pull away. His defensive presence was also impactful, as he deterred several drives from Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in the closing minutes. The victory wasn't easy, with the Thunder navigating minor injury scares to Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein earlier in the game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and 8 assists to provide steady leadership down the stretch.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Chet Holmgren

The rising star big man for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who put on a dominant performance with 28 points and 8 rebounds to lead his team to victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The steady veteran leader for the Thunder, who added 26 points and 8 assists to help secure the close road win.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' star guard, who was deterred by Holmgren's defensive presence down the stretch.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' star big man, who was also impacted by Holmgren's defensive efforts in the closing minutes.

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What they’re saying

“It's any hooper's dream to play in the Garden ... the juices were flowing, and we were ready to play.”

— Chet Holmgren (SportsCenter)

What’s next

The Thunder will look to continue their strong start to the season and maintain their position atop the Western Conference standings as they head into the heart of their schedule.

The takeaway

Chet Holmgren's dominant performance at Madison Square Garden showcases his potential as a rising star in the NBA and a key piece of the Thunder's championship aspirations. Oklahoma City's ability to grind out a close road win in a hostile environment further solidifies their status as a team to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.