The Oklahoma City Thunder need Chet Holmgren to prove that his All-Defense worthy 2025-26 campaign can translate to the playoffs. They also need him to prove that he's finally willing to be assertive on the offensive end of the floor when the chips are down.
Though most expect the No. 1 seed Thunder to make short work of the No. 8 seed Phoenix Suns, Holmgren has the perfect challenge in front him him as he looks to silence his skeptics.
Holmgren is a dynamic two-way talent who's capable of doing just about anything he wants on either end of the floor. That translated to a significant third-year leap, as Holmgren posted career-best marks in points per game (17.1) and field goal percentage (55.7).
For as encouraging as that may be, he averaged the same number of field goal attempts per 36 minutes that he did a season ago—a statistical reflection of how he continues to display passive tendencies.
Thankfully for Holmgren and the Thunder, the Suns are the perfect opponent to test how far he's truly come. Phoenix is flush with the type of players and personalities that can get under an opponent's skin, which could be the ultimate motivating factor to convince Holmgren to be more aggressive.
Throw in the absence of starting center Mark Williams and the door is wide open for Holmgren to prove he can be an assertive force on offense. Thankfully, it's already happened in Game 1.
Chet Holmgren needed to be tested—and Suns are the perfect opponent
Holmgren dominated the first half in Game 1, posting 16 points, seven rebounds, two offensive boards, two blocks, and two steals on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. He buried two of his three three-point field goal attempts, drove for an inside finish against a smaller defender, and imposed his will along the interior on both ends of the floor.
It was exactly what the Thunder needed to see from Holmgren, who has at least temporarily erased concerns over whether or not he can make a second 2025-26 leap during the postseason.
One can't help but feel as though Holmgren's explosive performance was fueled by a chippy first quarter. Dillon Brooks picked up a quick flagrant foul against Holmgren, with the reaction being a split between condemning the hit to the face and praising the veteran wing for giving his team a mental edge.
Holmgren responded by ignoring what was seemingly an attempt to create a game within the game by dominating the first two quarters of the basketball encounter itself.
If this is the type of performance that Holmgren can be expected to provide, then no player will benefit more from their first-round matchup. Phoenix is already attempting to test Holmgren's toughness, all the while pushing him to score in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
If Holmgren can continue to impose his will on the outcome of this series, then the Thunder will find it that much easier to pursue a second straight championship.
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