The Oklahoma City Thunder have assembled what many believe to be a championship-calibre “Big 3” for the modern NBA. Anchored by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the dynamic Jalen Williams, and the versatile big man Chet Holmgren, the team’s remarkable success over the past couple of seasons has largely been driven by the two-way impact of these star players.
However, during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with Jalen Williams sidelined by injuries, the San Antonio Spurs were able to concentrate their defensive efforts on Gilgeous-Alexander. This presented a significant challenge for Oklahoma City, particularly for Holmgren, who was tasked with stepping up against the burgeoning rival, Victor Wembanyama.
Unfortunately, Holmgren did not rise to the occasion. In the most critical game of the Western Conference Finals series, Game 7, the former second overall pick managed a mere four points. This lack of consistent offensive support left Gilgeous-Alexander without a reliable secondary scoring option, ultimately contributing to the Thunder’s defeat.
Holmgren’s struggles against Wembanyama were starkly highlighted as Oklahoma City dropped Games 6 and 7, thus ending their championship defence.
A Deep Dive into Holmgren’s Playoff Exit
Let’s examine the specifics of Chet Holmgren’s performance during the Western Conference Finals and how it impacted the Thunder’s playoff journey.
Chet Holmgren’s Game 7 Statistics vs. the Spurs:
- Minutes: 33
- Points: 4
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists: 0
- Blocks: 2
- Steals: 2
- Field Goals: 1-2
- Three-Pointers: 0-0
- Free Throws: 2-4
While Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance in Game 7, bouncing back from a poor shooting night in Game 6 with 35 points and nine assists, his offensive output was not enough to carry the team. He single-handedly ignited the Spurs’ defence in the first half and tried to carry the offensive load in the do-or-die matchup.
Lack of Offensive Support
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s individual brilliance, he received insufficient offensive help. While Jared McCain contributed 12 points and Cason Wallace knocked down five three-pointers, the Thunder lacked another consistent scoring threat outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, especially with Williams out due to a hamstring injury.
Given his pedigree as an All-Star and his regular-season scoring average of 17.1 points per game, Holmgren was the most obvious player to point to for this deficiency in shot creation. While he was tasked with guarding Victor Wembanyama, widely considered the NBA’s premier defensive player, Holmgren’s minimal offensive involvement, taking only two shots in Game 7, was particularly disappointing.
Beyond the Matchup: Mental Focus and Passivity
Holmgren’s struggles appeared to stem from more than just the defensive assignment. His mental focus seemed to waver at crucial moments. An example of this occurred in the fourth quarter when Holmgren attempted to drive against Wembanyama. He hesitated initially, then lost his balance, falling to the ground and turning the ball over.
It wasn’t solely Holmgren’s inability to contain Wembanyama defensively in Game 7 that proved detrimental to the Thunder. His general passivity on the court also rendered him an offensive liability for Oklahoma City.
Chet Holmgren’s Western Conference Finals Averages:
- Points Per Game: 10.7
- Rebounds Per Game: 7.1
- Assists Per Game: 1.0
- Steals Per Game: 0.7
- Blocks Per Game: 1.1
- Field Goal Percentage: 51.0%
- Three-Point Percentage: 27.3%
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.9%
Holmgren’s statistics throughout the seven-game series against the Spurs were a far cry from his regular-season impact. During the regular season, the Thunder centre averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, earning him a spot on an All-NBA team for the first time in his career.
In two of the seven games against San Antonio, Holmgren failed to reach double-digit scoring. His most impactful performance came in Game 5, where he recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds. His shooting from beyond the arc was also ineffective, as he managed to make only three of his eleven three-point attempts.
In essence, when facing Wembanyama, Holmgren did not exhibit the same lengthy and versatile star forward play that he had previously demonstrated.
Contractual Commitments and Future Expectations
The Oklahoma City Thunder will undoubtedly be hoping that Holmgren’s struggles in this series are an anomaly. He is set to embark on the first year of a lucrative five-year maximum contract extension, signed during the previous offseason, as the 2026-27 season commences.
According to salary cap tracking website Spotrac, Holmgren is projected to carry a cap hit exceeding $40 million annually over the next five seasons. This figure is expected to climb to $54.45 million by the 2030-31 season, when he will be 28 years old.
Spotrac also projects Holmgren’s average annual value (AAV) to be $47.85 million by 2026-27. This places him tied with Paolo Banchero and his teammate Jalen Williams as the 24th-highest AAV in the NBA for that season. The Thunder will be relying on Holmgren to deliver on this significant investment and return to his All-Star form.
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