How Chet Holmgren's missing two-way impact was a key factor in Thunder's loss
OKC Thunder star Chet Holmgren watched helplessly from the sidelines as his team lost 97-81 to the Milwaukee Bucks. After a closely fought first half, Giannis Antetokounmpo turned the game around in the third quarter. Oklahoma desperately tried to rally in the final frame, but the Bucks defense held firm to win the NBA Cup championship.
Holmgren hasn’t seen action since injuring his hip against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 10. With the 7-foot-1 forward/center and Jaylin Williams missing, Milwaukee’s frontline dominated the paint.
Thunder fans on social media were adamant their team would have fared much better had Holmgren been available.
How could Chet Holmgren have helped the OKC Thunder offense in the NBA Cup Finals
Isaiah Hartenstein is a bruising big man who feasts on follow-ups and lobs. The former New York Knicks star, though, doesn’t have the range of Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren, a 37.8% shooter from behind the arc, would have unclogged the paint for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and other rim attackers to take advantage.
With Hartenstein in the middle, the Bucks weren’t worried about pick-and-pop plays. They readily collapsed the middle when SGA or Harstenstein rolled to the basket coming off a screen. Holmgren’s floor-spacing game would have forced Milwaukee to make tough decisions defensively, though.
Holmgren is also an underrated rim attacker. He can get to the paint and loft shots with little to no challenge from the opposition. Last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up could have also been another lob threat. Holmgren averaged 16.4 points per game this season, third on the team. The Thunder missed that in their NBA Cup loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Oklahoma missed Chet Holmgren most on defense
The OKC Thunder didn't shoot well on Tuesday. They had several wide-open shots that refused to go in. Richard Jefferson, who called the game on ESPN, said that the outcome might have been different had Oklahoma been more efficient with its 3-pointers.
If Chet Holmgren had a rough-shooting night like his teammates, he would have been still invaluable on defense. The Bucks’ frontline of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez caused problems for the Thunder. Six-foot-7 Jalen Williams, who had to play power forward, had to contend with the marauding "Greek Freak," who averages 21.0 PPG in the paint.
Had Holmgren been around, he would have guarded Lopez and allowed Hartenstein to battle the two-time MVP. The former Gonzaga star would also have got his chance to shadow Antetokounmpo. Holmgren isn’t nearly as physical as Hartenstein, but his length and anticipation would have made Antetokounmpo work harder for his shots.
Skip Bayless quipped:
"If Chet Holmgren were healthy tonight, Giannis wouldn't be making so many layups."
Chet Holmgren averaged 2.6 blocks per game before his injury. His presence alters how team attacks the paint. The Thunder sorely missed him in the paint in their loss to the Bucks.