The Oklahoma City Thunder’s quest for a repeat championship ended abruptly on May 31, 2026, as they fell to the San Antonio Spurs 111-103 in a decisive Game 7. The loss concluded a hard-fought Western Conference Finals series and sent the Spurs to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a heroic effort for the Thunder, but his performance was not enough to compensate for the significant absences within the team’s core. Starting guard Jalen Williams was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and reserve guard Ajay Mitchell was out with a strained calf.
The most glaring issue, however, was the disappearance of starting center Chet Holmgren. Despite playing 33 minutes, Holmgren was a non-factor on offense, attempting only two shots and scoring four points. His performance drew immediate and stark comparisons to Ben Simmons’ infamous Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks in 2021, where Simmons also seemed terrified to have the ball.
Holmgren’s passivity was particularly damaging given the context. With two other key players injured, the Thunder desperately needed their max-contract, All-NBA center to provide a reliable second scoring option. Instead, Holmgren seemed to actively avoid engaging with the Spurs’ defense, especially when matched up against Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs’ young trio of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper delivered a masterclass in poised, high-stakes basketball. They combined for 48 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists, making huge plays throughout the game. Harper and Castle were especially relentless, combining for seven offensive rebounds in a gutsy road performance against the defending champions.
Coach Mark Daigneault attempted to shoulder the blame for Holmgren’s no-show, but the responsibility ultimately falls on the player. Holmgren’s regular-season scoring average of 17 points per game plummeted to 10.7 in this series. He was held to single-digit scoring twice and managed only four rebounds in the final game.
The contrast in demeanor was stark. While the Spurs’ young stars embraced the pressure, Holmgren appeared overwhelmed. He repeatedly caught the ball, assessed the defense, and quickly passed it away, showing no desire to create or attack. Of his four total shot attempts, none came in the second half.
This was not an isolated incident. Holmgren has historically struggled against Wembanyama and the Spurs. In four regular-season matchups, he averaged 10.7 points on 38% shooting. The psychological edge Wembanyama holds over him was evident throughout the series and ultimately proved to be a decisive factor.
The loss raises significant questions for Oklahoma City’s future. While Holmgren was excellent for most of the season and earlier playoffs, his inability to perform against his primary rival is a major concern. The Thunder’s path back to the Finals will almost certainly require them to go through San Antonio and Wembanyama for the foreseeable future.
Despite the disappointing end, the Thunder’s run to Game 7 without two starters is a testament to their depth, defense, and the brilliance of Gilgeous-Alexander. Role players like Alex Caruso, Jared McCain, and Cason Wallace played admirably. However, the franchise’s ceiling is intrinsically linked to Holmgren’s development and his capacity to overcome the mental hurdle presented by his superstar counterpart.
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