The Oklahoma City Thunder's journey to the NBA Finals has hit a bump in the road, and it's all about the play of Chet Holmgren and the team's bench. The Thunder's depth, once a strength, turned into a liability in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. With key players like Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined, the Thunder's offense sputtered, resulting in a 103-82 loss that evened the series at 2-2.
Holmgren, who had been a rising star this season, struggled mightily in this series. He was overpowered on the glass, irrelevant in the offense, and unable to launch his jump shot. His performance stood in stark contrast to that of Victor Wembanyama, who dominated with back-breaking plays and a half-court heave to close the first half. Holmgren's quiet performance and low-volume attempts (10 points on 8 shots in 26 minutes) highlighted the team's struggles.
The Thunder's bench, which had been a source of momentum in previous games, failed to provide the necessary support. Alex Caruso, a hero in earlier games, played just 14 minutes, and the team's two-man antidote, Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams, combined to shoot just 2 of 17. The Thunder's offense, heavily reliant on the cohesion of their five-man lineups, suffered from 20 turnovers and a poor shooting display from deep (6 of 33).
Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the team's struggles, noting the importance of physicality and force in playoff games. He emphasized the need to outmatch the opposition's defense and physicality. The Thunder's inability to sustain their offense and the Spurs' desperate play, as Holmgren pointed out, were starkly different in this game.
The series now shifts to Game 5, with the Thunder needing to find urgency and competence. The Spurs' defense, led by Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, will make this task challenging. The Thunder's reserves must step up and challenge Wembanyama's rim protection, as they did in their previous wins. The series is now a best-of-three affair, with the Thunder needing to find their rhythm and force to secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
Despite the challenges, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains undeterred. He understands the series is now a matter of who can seize the next two games. The Thunder's fate hangs in the balance, and the team must find a way to conjure the urgency and competence needed to close out the series and advance to the NBA Finals.
