Chet Holmgren praised his team’s ability to overcome challenges after the Oklahoma City Thunder secured the Western Conference’s top seed with a 128-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Intuit Dome.
“Adversity is never unexpected. Injuries is one of the ways we’ve seen it this year, and you just can’t turn them into excuses. I feel like we did a good job of just fighting through everything that we saw this year and it’s paid off,” Holmgren said.
Holmgren credited preparation and readiness for the team’s strong start against the Clippers. “I just felt ready to play. Felt juiced up and it was fun tonight,” he added, reflecting on his first-half performance that included 24 points, helping the Thunder establish a 25-point lead.
When asked about his personal development since entering the league, Holmgren highlighted his improved understanding of timing and pressure. “My understanding of urgency with patience has gotten a lot better. Early on, I would try to win the Super Bowl on every single play. Now I understand that putting pressure over 48 minutes creates opportunities. It’s not always about forcing anything on one play,” he explained.
Holmgren also discussed head coach Mark Daigneault’s influence. “Mark inspires us to be ready to play and to play a certain way. He’s a competitor himself and is on top of his stuff. We trust that whatever he tells us is right because he takes the time to learn the game, learn us as players, and think through what’s most advantageous,” Holmgren said.
The Thunder star emphasized his versatility on the court and how it has evolved with the modern NBA. “The game has become so fluid. You have to make plays with and without the ball in many areas on the floor. I try to be as effective as I can and as much of a weapon as I can in many areas,” Holmgren said. He credited teammates for their role in facilitating his impact.
Holmgren also weighed in on Jalen Williams’ fourth-quarter finish. “I’d give the hang time like an eight, eight and a half. The acrobatics probably like an eight. Overall 8.25,” he said, noting that no player on the team is at full form yet.
Reflecting on potential playoff matchups, Holmgren stressed preparation over opponent focus. “We get our confidence from all the hard work we put in every single day preparing to be the best team we can be. No matter who we get matched up with in the playoffs, we’re focusing on continuing to improve,” he said.
Holmgren highlighted a key sequence that showcased his defensive and offensive skills. “That helps separate me as a player in this league. I have a unique skill set and body type. I’ve been given certain God-given talents, but I’ve also tried to maximize the opportunity they’ve given me. Those plays are fun and get me juiced when they happen,” he explained.
With Holmgren contributing 30 points and 14 rebounds, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 20 points and 11 assists, the Thunder finished the regular season 64-16, earning homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.
