After a historic 24-1 start to the 2025-26 campaign, the OKC Thunder have fallen back down to earth over their last 31 games, going 18-13 and a lowly 2-3 over these final five heading into the All-Star break.
Needless to say, franchise big man Chet Holmgren is far from satisfied with these recent turn of events.
Following Oklahoma City's 110-93 loss to the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, the first-time All-Star was asked what challenges he and the Thunder faced during their clearly lackluster outing.
In response, Chet was rather quick to call out that fact that "parts of the game were clunky" and that he and his running mates have fallen into "a bad cycle" ahead of the mid-season break, which, to him, is far from ideal.
"You hate to have to take that into the break and sit on it for six days. That's what happened, and we've got to come out and be better out of the break," Holmgren said.
Thunder far from their dominant selves heading into All-Star break
Yes, it goes without saying that injuries have played a part in Oklahoma City's drop in production as of late, with key guys like sophomore standout Ajay Mitchell and, of course, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both missing time with abdominal strains.
However, this Thunder club is widely regarded as having one of the deepest talent pools the league has seen in years, yet, for some reason, they haven't been able to tap into their typically elite "next man up" abilities.
Over their last 11 games, Oklahoma City has gone a measly 5-6, enduring two separate losing streaks and being bested by cellar-dweller squads like the Indiana Pacers along the way.
Throughout this span, they've ranked 17 in the league in points per game (112.6), 20 in win percentage (.455), and have allowed the sixth-most three-point makes to opposing teams (160).
Fortunately for the Thunder, this break is much-needed amid their injury woes, as it gives not only SGA and Mitchell more time to rehab without missing any action, but also 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams, who has been plagued by various injury ailments dating back to last year's playoff run and has missed 30 games so far this season.
Right before Thursday's game, it was announced that he had once again re-aggravated his nagging hamstring strain and would be reevaluated after All-Star Weekend.
Considering three of their first games back will be against the Cavaliers, Pistons, and Nuggets, it's safe to say that they'll need all hands on deck to hit the ground running for their final stretch of the campaign.
Though it may sting to head into the illustrious weekend in a bit of a slump, considering the rest and recovery it will allow this hobbled Thunder team to partake in, it comes at a rather ideal time.