On paper, coming into this Western Conference semifinals series, Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren had a distinct advantage
After all, Holmgren is the Thunder’s glorified first-year player who would have been the easy choice to win this season’s Rookie of the Year award if not for some phenom over in San Antonio name Victory Wembanyama. That’s the type of skill-set Holmgren has and how special he has become in such a short period of time.
However, Gafford and Lively have more than held their own against Holmgren in the first three games of this best best-of-seven series, which the Mavs lead, 2-1.