Even though Damian Lillard is a seasoned star player and Chet Holmgren is only starting his NBA career, the 2023–24 campaign will surely be crucial for both players and their respective teams. Tuesday night, the rookie overcame the seven-time All-Star and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 124-101 in the preseason.That may be taking things a bit too lightly. A lot of fans who may still be dubious about the slender center will be impressed by the fact that Holmgren was all over Lillard on one particular play.

A few minutes into the first quarter, Holmgren shifted onto the incredibly gifted point guard and forcefully stopped a step-back attempt. It was the ideal example of his aggressive approach, adaptability, and defensive prowess.

Yes, the steal occurred in an exhibition game that most people will likely forget about in a few weeks, but Thunder supporters should be thrilled to see their player perform well. After scoring 16 and 21 points, respectively, in his first two preseason games, he finished with 18 points on 7 of 8 shooting. Lillard shot just 2-of-11 from the field, making his night much harder.