The Oklahoma City Thunder just got some brutal injury news ahead of their Game 7 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. Jalen Williams is going to be out, which means Chet Holmgren will have to step up on offense if the Thunder want to make it out of the West.
It has been a very injury-plagued season for Williams. He only appeared in 33 regular-season games, and so far during the playoffs, he has only been available for five games. And in two of those, he didn’t earn significant playing time. Needless to say, it’s been a rough year for the Thunder star.
And with Williams out for Game 7, the Thunder need Holmgren to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s primary source of offensive support.
Thunder need Chet Holmgren to improve on offense with Jalen Williams out for Game 7
Unfortunately for both him and the Thunder, Williams has not been a reliable source of offense (or of anything) during this postseason. He just hasn’t been healthy enough.
To make matters worse, Ajay Mitchell – who has been great for OKC all season – is also out for Game 7. That means OKC will be down two of its best supporting scorers.
So, if there was ever a time for Holmgren to step up his game and give the Thunder something on the offensive end, it would be in Game 7. Because they desperately need him to do so.
Gilgeous-Alexander has struggled on offense this series. He’s struggled at times throughout the playoffs. And role players have stepped up to help him on that end.
Guys like Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams have provided the Thunder with much-needed offensive sparks. But they shouldn’t have to rely on role players when they have an All-Star playing next to SGA.
Holmgren’s offensive woes have been well-documented throughout the course of the postseason. He just hasn’t been consistent on that end of the court.
He hasn’t had a 20-point game since Game 2 of the Thunder’s second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s not exactly ideal for the guy who is supposed to be one of OKC’s best players.
Now, the Thunder have their backs against a wall. A loss, and their season is over. But a win would send them to the NBA Finals.
Williams is out. Mitchell, too. If there were ever a time for Holmgren to step up on offense, it would be now. The Thunder need him to.
They need Holmgren to be an offensive force.
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