Chet Holmgren Explains Key Reason Thunder Lost to Wemby, Spurs in Game 4 of NBA Playoffs

Every game in the Western Conference Finals is important, but Sunday's Game 4 felt far more urgent for the San Antonio Spurs as they put together a 103-82 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"They played like their season was on the line, and we didn't," Thunder big man Chet Holmgren told reporters (17:30 mark).

San Antonio's season likely was on the line considering it entered Game 4 facing a 2-1 deficit in the series. Having to win three straight from a 3-1 hole against the reigning champions, with two of them coming in Oklahoma City, would have been a daunting task even for a team with Victor Wembanyama leading the way.

From the Thunder's perspective, they still have home-court advantage in the series and can advance to their second straight NBA Finals if they take care of business in front of their own fans in Games 5 and 7.

Still, there was plenty of reason for concern for OKC coming out of Sunday's game.

Thunder-Spurs Highlights

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Both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were sidelined with injuries, which left the offense far too listless and reliant on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Holmgren figured to be the No. 2 option in such a scenario, but he struggled to attack the Wembanyama-led defense and finished with 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field.

He is averaging just 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in this series and is clearly struggling with Wembanyama's combination of height and athleticism that helped the Spurs big man take home the Defensive Player of the Year this season.

Oklahoma City is going to need better production from its star big man, especially with Wembanyama continuing to put together dominant performances on the other side.

The Spurs' go-to option finished Sunday's game with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals.

The series returns to Oklahoma City for Game 5, and the Thunder will need much more urgency if they are going to bounce back from the latest performance. If they don't bring that urgency, it will be their season on the line for Thursday's Game 6 in San Antonio.