The Oklahoma City Thunder put on a clinic Saturday night, overpowering the Chicago Bulls 114-95 to improve to 2-0. It was a meaningful matchup, as the game marked the first meeting with former Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who was traded to the Bulls for Alex Caruso in the offseason. Chet Holmgren, coming off a historic season opener, was unstoppable once again, recording 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
After the game, Holmgren spoke about facing his former teammate with an understanding of the NBA’s business side. “It’s a business. An extremely serious business,” Holmgren said. “But you can’t lose sight of the relationships that you build with guys along the way. People and teams have to do what’s best for them business-wise, and you can’t hold that against anybody.”
Giddey, drafted by the Thunder in 2021, had spent three years with Oklahoma City, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite. He finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for the Bulls, reuniting postgame with his former teammates in a moment captured by Oklahoman Sports reporter Joel Lorenzi. The Thunder’s approach to the matchup was business-focused but respectful, as Thunder forward Jalen Williams explained. “We don’t go into games like whoever was here and try to attack them. We just try to play the way we play,” Williams said, emphasizing the team’s mentality of moving forward with their new lineup.
Williams had a stellar game, posting a team-high 24 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points, eight rebounds, and four steals to further solidify the Thunder’s dominance. With Holmgren’s breakout performance and a deep lineup that now includes Caruso, the Thunder are emerging as a balanced force in the league.
Oklahoma City’s statement win over Chicago not only highlights their growth but also reinforces the team’s “all business” mentality—moving forward with purpose, respect, and a determination to compete. As Holmgren said, in the NBA, “relationships are everything,” but on the court, it’s about winning.
