Down two of its top three creators, the Oklahoma City Thunder desperately needs someone else to step up to the challenge for the remainder of the series. After failing to do so in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Letting an opportunity to take command of the series, before they headed back to OKC.
Oklahoma City put up a season-low 82 points, shot 33% from the floor, 6-for-33 from beyond the arc, and 24-for-58 from inside the arc, losing by 21 points, its worst performance of the season.
Now, the series shifts back to San Antonio, after Oklahoma City win a pivotal Game 5. Still, questions loom large about their health, with Ajay Mitchell already ruled out with a soleus strain and Jalen Williams questionable with a hamstring injury. Here’s a certainty: the OKC Thunder needs more offensive production for its recently named All-NBA player.
Chet Holmgren Must Overcome His Roadblock Against the Spurs
The OKC Thunder need more from Chet Holmgren on the offensive end to win this series. Holmgren has been a non-factor and continues to put career-lows against the Spurs, averaging 11.3 points per game on 46.9% shooting through the first four games of the Western Conference Finals. In a game in which OKC was without two of its top four scorers, he scored only 10 points and failed to reach double-digit shot attempts, shooting 3-for-8 in a blowout loss on Sunday night.
The All-NBA third team big was crucial in the Thunder’s undefeated 8-0 start in the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, converting at an elite rate as a play-finisher and shooting the three with decisiveness. Holmgren averaged 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 60% from the floor while knocking down shots at a 70.3% rate from inside the arc and at a 38.7% rate from beyond the arc.
All the momentum and force Holmgren had coming into this series have been invisible through the first four games, making him look like a complete shell compared to what he has shown in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Holmgren’s performances in the Thunder’s two wins:
- Game 2: 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting.
- Game 3: 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
- Game 5: 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
While these numbers are not All-NBA-level production that will be needed from the third-year big, he still came through in moments when the Thunder needed him, showing what can happen if he steps up and turns it around.
Holmgren’s performances in the Thunder’s two losses:
- Game 1: Scored just 8 points on 2-for-7 shooting in 41 minutes in double-overtime.
- Game 4: 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
These numbers reflect the lack of force and aggression Holmgren played with, being a complete non-factor offensively. With even a slightly better performance in Game 1, this series could be in the Thunder’s control.
Holmgren has struggled to assert himself or create high-quality looks against the Spurs’ athletic, physical defense, and hasn’t capitalized on the opportunities when the open space presents itself. The Thunder can certainly win the series if their All-NBA big man turns his performance and mentality around. OKC will certainly need it if top players don’t return.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
