NBA: Chet Holmgren returns as Thunder down Raptors

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Jalen Williams scored 27 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-109 home win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

While the Thunder’s All-Star duo of Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25 points) led the way as they have for much of the season, Friday’s win was about the return of second-year big man Chet Holmgren.

Holmgren returned for his first action since suffering a pelvic fracture Nov. 10 against Golden State.

READ: Chet Holmgren set to return to NBA-best Thunder

Adding another bl🚫ck pic.twitter.com/XZu9qPtvWd

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 8, 2025

It didn’t take long for Holmgren to make his presence felt, with a steal on the game’s third possession and a rebound shortly thereafter.

Holmgren and fellow 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein were both in the lineup for the first time this season and Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault had both in the starting lineup.

Hartenstein was working his way back from a preseason injury when Holmgren went down.

Holmgren finished with four points, five rebounds, four blocks and two steals in 22 minutes.

He picked up a technical foul in the immediate aftermath of his third block, quickly drawing a whistle after swatting Ja’Kobe Walter’s layup try into the hands of teammate Alex Caruso.

By the time the first quarter was done, Oklahoma City had gone ahead for good, using a 20-6 run late in the quarter to take a double-digit lead.

READ: NBA: Thunder’s Chet Holmgren out for at least 3 more weeks

Holmgren’s turnaround fadeaway started the run, and Gilgeous-Alexander had 11 points during the stretch.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with six assists but was just 5 of 12 from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the arc. He made all 14 of his free throws.

The Raptors didn’t go away easily, though, cutting the deficit to two in the second quarter before Oklahoma City reeled off nine quick points to regain control.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 21 points while Gradey Dick added 17.

The Thunder finished off a sweep of a four-game homestand, improving their NBA-best record.

Toronto has dropped three consecutive games and four of its last five.

Oklahoma City was without Luguentz Dort, who missed the game with back spasms.