Chet Holmgren Defended by Thunder HC Daigneault, Takes Blame as Fans Troll Star After Spurs Loss

Chet Holmgren was an easy target for criticism after his performance in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 111-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Saturday's Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, but his head coach came to the big man's defense in the aftermath.

"He was a huge [contributor] in ways that may not be in the box score or visible," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "We didn't get outscored by much when he was on the court. I can take some responsibility for [Holmgren's lack of shot attempts], but I still think he played a big-time game in some areas."

Holmgren was an All-Star and All-NBA Third-Team selection this season but went largely missing in action Saturday with four points and four rebounds on 1-of-2 shooting from the field.

He didn't even attempt a field goal after the first quarter, which put even more of the offensive onus on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's shoulders even though the Spurs were sending multiple defenders at the back-to-back MVP nearly every time down the court.

SGA found a way to fight through that and finish with 35 points and nine assists on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, but he didn't get nearly the help from his supporting cast that Victor Wembanyama did on the other side.

Spurs-Thunder Highlights

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Holmgren's lack of production was the biggest issue from that supporting cast, especially since Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were both sidelined by injuries. The Thunder needed their All-Star big man to elevate his game without them, but he instead seemed hesitant to attack whenever Wembanyama was on the floor.

"I'd say they're a unique team in terms of personnel, what their personnel do," Holmgren said. "I don't think there's another team that has the same kind of play style, I guess."

In all, he averaged 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in the Western Conference Finals compared to the 20.0 points and 9.8 rebounds a night he averaged in the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers.

He recognized after the game he will have to be better moving forward if Oklahoma City is going to add more championships to its collection after lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy last season.

"There's no running from improvement," Holmgren told reporters. "I always look at it as no matter what—good, bad, win, loss, whatever it might be—you have to continue to improve. So, that's the mindset."

Considering Wembanyama is just 22 years old and already in the NBA Finals, Holmgren is likely going to have to face him in a number of future playoff showdowns if he remains on the Thunder.

That means figuring out a way to play much better than he did in these Western Conference Finals will be critical.