Why Chet Holmgren and Thunder Bench Must Step Up for NBA Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their most stagnant performance of the postseason on Sunday night, falling 103-82 to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. The loss evens the Western Conference finals series at 2-2.

A depleted depth chart proved costly for the Thunder, who played without key creators Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. This absence left the offence struggling to find rhythm against a disciplined San Antonio defense.

A Crisis of Depth and Execution

The Thunder’s bench, which provided a massive 76-point spark in Game 3, vanished for much of Sunday. They managed only 18 points before the fourth quarter began.

Shooting struggles plagued the team, as they hit just 6 of 33 attempts from beyond the arc. This represents their worst shooting performance from deep throughout these playoffs.

Adding to the frustration, Oklahoma City committed 20 turnovers. They were also outmatched in the paint, shooting only 43.9 percent on those attempts.

Did You Know? The Thunder’s bench experienced a dramatic swing in production, dropping from a 76-point display in Game 3 to scoring just 18 points prior to the fourth quarter in Game 4.

The Battle of the Bigs

The game highlighted a stark contrast between the series’ two young stars. Chet Holmgren struggled in 26 minutes of action, recording 10 points on eight shots.

Conversely, Victor Wembanyama dominated the night, scoring 33 points on 22 shots, including seven three-pointers. Wembanyama finished the game with a plus-29 rating.

While Holmgren was overpowered on the glass and quiet on offence, Wembanyama provided momentum-shifting plays, including a half-court heave to close the first half.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the absence of complementary ballhandlers like Williams and Mitchell isolates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Without these initiators to attack gaps, San Antonio’s defense can more effectively collapse on the MVP, significantly limiting OKC’s offensive fluidity.

Physicality and Urgency

Coach Mark Daigneault attributed the loss to a lack of “sharpness, force or precision.” He emphasized that playoff games are often decided in the “trenches” of physicality and force.

5 WILD Thunder vs Spurs Game Endings 🤯

Chet Holmgren observed that the Spurs played with a level of desperation, as if their season were on the line. The Thunder, by contrast, appeared to wave the white flag early in the fourth quarter.

Looking Toward Game 5

As the series moves to Tuesday’s Game 5, the Thunder may need to rediscover the urgency and competence that defined their previous wins. They could be forced to rely on more creative lineups to challenge Wembanyama’s rim protection.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains undeterred, noting the series is essentially “0-0” with the first team to win two more games advancing. However, the lack of available resources could potentially become an overwhelming hurdle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Game 4?
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82.

Which key players were missing for the Thunder?
The Thunder played without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, two of their most important creators.

How did Victor Wembanyama perform in the game?
Wembanyama scored 33 points on 22 shots (including seven 3s) and finished with a plus-29 rating.

Do you believe the Thunder’s depth issues will be the deciding factor in the remainder of this series?