Chet Holmgren highlighted Oklahoma City’s mindset after the Thunder sealed a 131-122 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center, completing a first-round sweep behind another balanced offensive performance.
“Shai and I have just talked about staying present, not being focused on how the previous game has gone or what the series record was,” Holmgren said, pointing to the team’s approach across the four-game series.
He expanded on Oklahoma City’s offensive execution, stressing consistency regardless of game flow. “Just continue to trust our stuff no matter what happens in the game. Understanding that whatever happened on the last play, it happened and now we have to focus on what the next play brings.”
Holmgren noted the Thunder’s ability to maintain composure during momentum swings in a series that featured repeated Phoenix runs. “We did a good job with that, especially in between possessions going from defense to offense, not letting one side of the ball affect the other.”
The Thunder shot 50% from three-point range in Game 4 and finished the series with multiple scoring surges, including a decisive fourth quarter push. Holmgren said execution outweighed reaction in a matchup that required adjustments every night.
“They’re a good team. They made runs. The games were competitive,” Holmgren said. “They gave us different looks, threw different things at us, and we adjusted well, stuck together, stayed confident in our stuff, and made enough plays.”
Holmgren also spoke about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s playmaking approach after the MVP-caliber guard repeatedly found him around the rim in Game 4.
“It’s great, playing with somebody that wants to make everybody around him better,” Holmgren said. “He could walk down and shoot 50 shots in a row. He’s that talented.”
The Thunder big man pointed to film-session adjustments that carried into the game. “It was just having a general awareness that if they’re going to play small… those players are going to be open,” he said. “The more you punish them for that, the more they can’t play small.”
Holmgren also credited teammate Ajay Mitchell’s impact in the series-clinching win, particularly early in the fourth quarter. “He was just as impactful whether the ball goes in or not,” Holmgren said. “He really was the reason why we won the game.”
He added praise for Mitchell’s defensive stability and shot selection. “I just tell him live in the paint, get to the rim, get fouled. He’s really good at it.”
Oklahoma City now advances to the Western Conference semifinals after completing its sweep, extending its first-round dominance across recent playoff runs.
