Chet Holmgren’s Big Game Kendrick Perkins Drops Viral Quotes on ESPN

Amidst a group of elite NBA greats, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren is often forgotten, according to ESPN Kendrick Perkins. Holmgren’s 28-point performance against the Houston Rockets helped the Thunder erase a 12-point second-half deficit in a 125-124 double-overtime thriller. Against All-Stars Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant and the Rockets, Chet got off to a fast start, connecting on all seven of his attempts in the first half.

Holmgren finished with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 2-of-5 from deep, seven rebounds and two assists. After the win, Perkins got up for Holmgren, explaining how the Thunder forward is often overlooked, he said, according to ESPN’s NBA Today.

“It seems like we’re talking about all the greats in the world, right? Sengun, Giannis, Jokic, and rightly so, but then suddenly Chet Holmgren was forgotten. And then last night in that first half he reminded us how he went to work,” said Perkins. “He was deep in his bag like he had fries in the bottom. Inside/out. And when you talk about how unique he is in terms of his skill set, that’s why they’re able to mix it up.”

“They’ve been big at times with him and Isaiah Hartenstein on the floor because of Chet’s ability to knock down the trey. He was 2-for-5 from three last night. But last night, even over KD in the first quarter, he was giving shimmy shakes over his right shoulder, over his left shoulder, step-backs, like that, off-he-the-dribble.

“(Chet Holmgren) was deep in his bag like he had fries in the bottom.@KendrickPerkins gives Chet props after a big night against Houston 🔥🍟 pic.twitter.com/vNg1cjN52e

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 22, 2025

Although injuries have plagued a significant portion of Holmgren’s early career, he looks better than ever going into his fourth season with the Thunder, as Kendrick Perkins notes. With some predicting that 2025-26 will be the season Holmgren makes his first All-Star appearance, he’s off to a phenomenal start.

How Chet Holmgren transitioned from the Thunder ring ceremony

Head coach Mark Daigneault and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that the Thunder needs to improve after a gutsy win over the Western Conference contender Houston Rockets. However, neither were surprised that Chet Holmgren played at such a high level. After the win, Holmgren revealed his mindset — from pregame festivities to competitive play.

“We all kind of talked about it. You have to be there and enjoy the ceremony, but as soon as it’s over, we have to get ready to play,” Holmgren said. “It wasn’t perfect early. It wasn’t perfect the whole game – credit to our team. Credit to the guys – that’s what they do, just find a way to get the win.”

Holmgren and the Thunder will face the Pacers on Thursday.