Thunder GM Defends Chet Holmgren Following Playoff Defeat

Following the Oklahoma City Thunder's loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, players and coach Mark Daigneault rallied behind Chet Holmgren amidst criticism of his performance. The 2026 All-Star faced backlash for his lackluster showing in Game 7, where he scored only four points and attempted just two shots, with two points coming from free throws. The Thunder lost the decisive match by eight points.

Holmgren, standing at 7 feet 1 inch, was expected to be a key player in countering Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. However, his failure to step up in this high-stakes game has sparked speculation about potential trades, including discussions about sending Holmgren away in exchange for players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley.

Amidst the criticism, teammates like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed their support for Holmgren, asserting that he is not a liability and possesses the ability to contribute significantly to the team. Daigneault echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that he could have coached Holmgren differently but insisting that the young player is a valuable asset, as evidenced by the Thunder's consistent performance over the past three seasons, finishing as the top seed each year.

General Manager Sam Presti also weighed in, recognizing Holmgren's struggles in the series but emphasizing the importance of resilience in great players. “He didn’t have a great series in the last series. But if you go back and look at some of the greatest players in the game, they run into defeat and struggle… that’s what makes them great players,” Presti remarked during a press conference.

Presti highlighted Holmgren's intrinsic motivation, reassuring fans that outside pressures do not affect the player's drive for improvement. "He doesn’t need people questioning him or things on the internet to drive his improvement," the GM stated. "It’s just kind of how he’s wired. So I’m not really that concerned about him.”