Chet Holmgren’s rookie season has been filled with eyebrow-raising defensive plays, but denying an Aaron Gordon dunk attempt Saturday night stood out among Holmgren’s finest highlights.

It was Holmgren’s ninth block of the game. Nine blocks, along with 17 points and 11 rebounds, for Holmgren in the Thunder’s 118-117 comeback win at the Nuggets.

“That’s a hell of a line,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after the game.

Holmgren’s nine blocks were the most in a game this season.

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“Probably a candidate for Rookie of the Year, but I think that’s not supposed to be his goal,” two-time MVP Nikola Jokic said. “I think he can be much better than that.”

Five rookies in NBA history have tallied at least 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in a game. Four of them are hall of famers. The fifth is Holmgren.

Holmgren was the first rookie with that stat line this century.

Here’s the list he joined:

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Alonzo Mourning, Charlotte Hornets (1992-93, twice)

Mourning doubled Holmgren’s rebound total in a 17-point, 22-rebound and nine-block game on March 1, 1993. A month earlier, Mourning had a 19-point, 14-rebound and nine-block game.

Mourning and Holmgren were second-overall picks exactly 30 years apart.

Mourning was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and twice led the NBA in blocks.

Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic (1992-93) 

Mourning settled for second place in Rookie of the Year voting thanks to Shaq.

O’Neal had a 21-point, 19-rebound and nine-block game as a rookie, but he did it while playing 47 minutes in a triple-overtime game. Holmgren put up a similar stat line in 32 minutes.

Sharing a list with O’Neal, a 14-time All-NBA player, four-time champ and member of the NBA 75, is always a good thing.

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David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs (1989-90)

What Holmgren did Saturday night, The Admiral had three such games. Better games, really.

Robinson had three triple-doubles as a rookie with 20-plus points and at least 10 rebounds and 10 blocks.

Robinson, in three separate seasons, led the NBA in points, rebounds and blocks. The 10-time All-Star is alongside Shaq on the NBA 75 team.

Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets (1983-84)

Forty years ago, almost to the week, Sampson had a 28-point, 18-rebound and 13-block game. It came in an overtime game in which Sampson played 49 minutes. Of all the players on this list, Holmgren’s 32 minutes played were the fewest.

Sampson won Rookie of the Year in 1983-84 and was a four-time All-Star.

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren joins hall of fame group vs. Nuggets