Thunder Game 2 changes have to start with better nights from Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams
OKLAHOMA CITY — Any doubts about the Thunder entering the playoffs seemed to have been wiped away before the NBA Finals tipped off. Nobody had really questioned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Thunder defense had more than lived up to its fearsome reputation.
Perhaps the only question not entirely answered this postseason was the one that lingered from last year's playoffs, when the Mavericks eliminated the Thunder: Were Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren good enough to be the No. 2 and 3 players on a championship team?
Advertisement
They were not in Game 1. They shot a combined 8-of-28, and they had some defensive lapses.
If the Thunder are going to even this series in Game 2 Sunday night, a few things need to improve for them, but that starts with better games from Williams and Holmgren.
"[Holmgren] and [Williams], specifically, obviously they have carved out huge roles on our team," OKC coach Mark Daigneault said. "Usually, delivering in the Finals is not on the curriculum for third-year players, and they have thrust themselves into that situation, which is a credit to them. And now that they are here, they have to continue to do what they have done all the way through the playoffs...
"They haven't always played their best game, but they always get themselves ready to play the next one. The last guy I'm worried about that is Chet."
Advertisement
Williams played down the idea of being a third-year player mattering.
"I don't ever think that I'm in my third year because then that allows me to make excuses. I should just go out there and play. Pressure is a privilege," Williams said on the eve of Game 2. "So I enjoy being counted on and doing that, and I just think I've been counted on since, I feel like, last year, to be totally honest, just in regard to being there for the rest of the guys. And now we're here in the Finals."
Holmgren's rough shooting night
Holmgren shot 2-of-8 within four feet of the rim in Game 1, finishing the night with six points on nine shot attempts. It was a night where Daigneault leaned more into Isaiah Hartenstein (9 points on 3-of-5 shooting, plus 9 rebounds).
Advertisement
"I feel like I could have slowed down, kind of finished some of those plays at the rim," Holmgren said. "Obviously, it hurts in a one-point loss. One single difference on one single play could have decided the whole game...
"I'd say [I went] on some of them, too quick. On the ones that involved help side, just slowing down and understanding where they are is a big thing. Some of the one-on-one plays, I wouldn't say so much slowing down as I'd say kind of just being a little bit more under control, I guess."
Williams' rough shooting night
Williams put up better counting stats with 17 points, but was 6-of-19 shooting. He was respectable around the rim, hitting 5-of-9. However, he was 1-of-10 outside that range, including 1-of-4 on 3-pointers.
Advertisement
We've seen this before this postseason. Against the Nuggets, Williams showed out with 32 points on 21 shots in Game 3 (an OKC loss), but in the next three games Williams shot 2-of-13, 5-of-14 and 3-of-16, a combined 23.3%.
Williams bounced back in the Thunder's Game 7 victory, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. What Oklahoma City needs from him in the Finals is consistency. Williams is an All-NBA player who will be offered a five-year maximum contract extension by the Thunder this summer. These games, however, are where that money and his reputation are really earned.
All playoffs long, when the Thunder have been challenged — individually and as a team — they have responded. Expect Williams and Holmgren to bounce back with better games on Sunday night.
If they don't, the hole the Thunder find themselves in could be a lot deeper.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Washington Post
38 minutes ago
- Washington Post
What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out
The World Cup kicks off one year from now and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 23rd edition of soccer's most prestigious tournament, which has been running since 1930, will be the biggest yet with 48 teams taking part. Here's what to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


Washington Post
41 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Panthers take 2-1 lead into game 4 against the Oilers
Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5, in the Pacific Division) vs. Florida Panthers (47-31-4, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -150, Oilers +125; over/under is 6.5 STANLEY CUP FINAL: Panthers lead series 2-1 BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Monday for the sixth time this season. The Panthers won the last matchup 6-1.


Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Panthers take 2-1 lead into game 4 against the Oilers
Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5, in the Pacific Division) vs. Florida Panthers (47-31-4, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -150, Oilers +125; over/under is 6.5 STANLEY CUP FINAL: Panthers lead series 2-1 BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Monday for the sixth time this season. The Panthers won the last matchup 6-1. Florida has gone 32-15-2 at home and 47-31-4 overall. The Panthers have a +23 scoring differential, with 246 total goals scored and 223 conceded. Edmonton has a 48-29-5 record overall and a 29-20-2 record in road games. The Oilers have a 30-9-4 record in games they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponents. TOP PERFORMERS: Aleksander Barkov Jr. has 20 goals and 51 assists for the Panthers. Sam Bennett has eight goals and three assists over the last 10 games. Evan Bouchard has 14 goals and 53 assists for the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl has five goals and nine assists over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 7-2-1, averaging 4.1 goals, 7.1 assists, 6.1 penalties and 19.2 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game. Oilers: 7-2-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.4 assists, 5.5 penalties and 15.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game. INJURIES: Panthers: None listed. Oilers: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.