It’s difficult to express exactly how significant this has been.

Chet Holmgren

is related to this Thunder basketball team, particularly given Oklahoma City’s performance when he was absent.

In reality, this squad was designed to handle injuries, and even with Holmgren’s extraordinary skills, Oklahoma City remained among the top teams. However, deep down, everybody understood that Holmgren was essential for the Thunder to achieve their utmost capability.

After recovering from an almost season-long injury, Holmgren seamlessly returned to the starting lineup without skipping a beat. Regardless of whether he plays in a dual big-man formation or as the sole center on the floor, Oklahoma City has thrived with him during this playoff run. This time around, their success looks different compared to before because he has faced challenges with his perimeter shooting recently.

Last season, even if Holmgren struggled with his long-range shooting, he remained solid defensively. However, this year, he has continued to have trouble scoring from beyond the arc, yet he has significantly improved near the rim and during fast breaks. He’s learning new ways to contribute offensively despite missing shots, which adds great depth to his overall performance.

In the past four matches, Holmgren has made only 4 out of 17 three-point attempts, yet he has scored over ten points in each contest. Even with significant difficulty shooting from beyond the arc, his average point total during this period remains at 17.2 per game. Additionally, he has proven disruptive on the boards, securing ten or more rebounds in five of the last eight postseason games.

Like the missed free throws during the game with Denver, there have also been some challenges along the way. However, despite his icy performance from beyond the arc, Holmgren has had a notably impressive playoff stretch. His ability to influence games in various ways continues to shine through, and he remains undeterred by any shooting slumps. Overall, Holmgren’s averages stand at 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per contest. Consistently reliable on both offense and defense, he has become a cornerstone for the Thunder.

Should Oklahoma City manage to accomplish their task, Holmgren will likely play a significant role in it.

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Chet Holmgren Demonstrating Significant Development During the Playoff Season

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