How Chet Holmgren was silenced by Victor Wembanyama, Spurs throughout Western Conference Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder undeniably have built a championship-level "Big 3" fit for the modern NBA. Between two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, do-it-all forward Jalen Williams and versatile big man Chet Holmgren, most of the Thunder's success over the past two years has stemmed from the two-way impact of their All-Stars.

With Williams dealing with injuries in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, allowing the Spurs able to hone in on Gilgeous-Alexander defensively in the Western Conference Finals, Oklahoma City needed Holmgren to step up to the challenge of facing a budding rival in Victor Wembanyama.

He did not do so — in fact, in the biggest game of the series on Saturday night, the former No. 2 overall pick managed just four points in Game 7, leaving Gilgeous-Alexander without consistent shot creation elsewhere.

Holmgren's struggles vs. Wembanyama only became more amplified as Oklahoma City allowed the Spurs to win Games 6 and 7, losing the series in their championship defense.

Here's a look at Holmgren's struggles vs. the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, leading to the Thunder's playoff exit.

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Chet Holmgren Game 7 stats vs. Spurs

• Minutes: 33
• Points: 4
• Rebounds: 4
• Assists: 0
• Blocks: 2
• Steals: 2
• FG: 1-2
• 3PT: 0-0
• FT: 2-4

Gilgeous-Alexander was terrific in Game 7. The back-to-back MVP bounced back from a rough shooting night in Game 6 by posting 35 points and nine assists, lighting up the Spurs in the first half and uplifting his team's offense in a do-or-die matchup.

But Gilgeous-Alexander simply did not get enough offensive help. Jared McCain offered 12 points, and Cason Wallace made five 3-pointers, but all night, Oklahoma City didn't have a go-to scorer outside of Gilgeous-Alexander with Williams out due to his hamstring injury.

The easiest player to blame for that lack of shot creation, due to his pedigree as an All-Star and 17.1 point-per-game-scorer in the regular season, was Holmgren. Of course, he had a head-to-head matchup against the best defensive player in the NBA in Wembanyama, but Holmgren also took just two shots all night in Game 7.

His struggles appeared to be just as about his mental focus as the defensive assignment. For example, in the fourth quarter, Holmgren looked to drive on Wembanyama, but initially hesitiated, then fell on the ground and let the ball get away from him.

checking in on chet holmgrenpic.twitter.com/SJAWUPXSIa

It wasn't just Holmgren's inability to slow down Wembanyama in Game 7 that hurt the Thunder — it was his passivity, leaving Oklahoma City with an offensive liability on the floor. 

MORE: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong Game 7 wasn't enough vs. Spurs 

Chet Holmgren Western Conference Finals stats

• PPG: 10.7
• RPG: 7.1
• APG: 1.0
• SPG: 0.7
• BPG: 1.1
• FG%: 51.0%
• 3PT%: 27.3%
• FT%: 76.9%

Holmgren's numbers over the seven-game series against the Spurs looked nothing like the kind of impact he made in the regular season, when the Thunder center averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, making an All-NBA team for the first time. 

In two of the seven games vs. San Antonio, Holmgren failed to eclipse the 10-point mark. His best performance came in Game 5, totaling 16 points and 11 rebounds; from deep, Holmgren was also ineffective, making just three of his 11 3-point attempts.

In virtually any capacity, facing Wembanyama, Holmgren wasn't nearly the kind of lengthy, versatile star forward he's previously proven capable of being. 

Chet Holmgren contract

• 5 years, $239.25 million

The Thunder will be hoping Holmgren's struggles are in his past as he moves into the 2026-27 season, as he will be entering year one of a five-year, max extension signed last offseason.

Holmgren is currently projected to carry a cap hit north of $40 million over each of the next five seasons, per Spotrac, including $54.45 million by his age-28 season in 2030-31.

According to Spotrac, Holmgren's projected AAV of $47.85 million by 2026-27 is set to be the 24th-highest mark in the NBA, tied with Paolo Banchero and his teammate, Jalen Williams.