After taking home the Larry O'Brien Trophy two seasons ago, the OKC Thunder came into the 2025-26 campaign with one goal in mind: become the first repeat champion since the 2018 Warriors.
Unfortunately, they were unable to accomplish such a task, as they were bested by the emerging San Antonio Spurs in an epic seven-game Western Conference Finals showdown.
Though falling short of two straight titles was certainly far from desired, Chet Holmgren still believes the Thunder came away with an important understanding of their ill-fated repeat run, as the All-Star told media members at a recently held USA Basketball Foundation charity event that falling short "was almost more of a reminder of just how hard it is to accomplish, and how much goes into it."
"We learned the same lesson [in 2026] as the year that we won it... There is no guarantee. You can put in all the work and still come up short. At the end of the day, you have to be okay with putting in the work with no guaranteed outcome," Holmgren said.
Thunder fully aware of challenges that come with winning championship
As was also the case during their successful run through the 2025 postseason gauntlet, the Thunder endured a great deal of hardship during this latest go-around, particularly in the health department, where key figures like Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf) were held out for extended and meaningful action.
The first time, they were able to persevere, overcoming a hobbled, rusty Holmgren following a multi-month absence due to a right iliac wing fracture, as well as a secretly limited J-Dub, who was suffering from a torn scapholunate ligament that ultimately required offseason surgery.
Clearly, they weren't as fortunate this second time, and Williams couldn't help but painfully remind fans right after their campaign came to an end of just how different the team's fate could have been had health been slightly more on their side in the 2026 playoffs.
Regardless of the outcome, however, Holmgren is stressing that he and his teammates are fully aware that it "doesn't change the process" they've established in Oklahoma City when it comes to chasing a championship.
At the end of the day, it appears the Thunder are striving to avoid complacency and, in turn, to keep improving, which is the exact mentality they need to successfully navigate this ever-evolving NBA landscape.
Chet Holmgren already 'putting in the work' to help Thunder next season
We still may be several months out from opening night, but it already seems Holmgren is walking the walk, so to speak, when it comes to his aforementioned claims of "putting in the work."
The big man has been frequently posting images and video clips on his personal social media platforms of him in the weight room or on the hardwood running drills and honing his on-court craft.
Holmgren finds himself coming off a career-best season in the association, one in which he dropped stellar per-game averages of 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks on 55.7 percent shooting from the floor and 36.2 percent shooting from deep while earning All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive nods along the way.
Of course, as witnessed specifically during the conference finals and, most painfully, in Game 7 of the series where he posted a putrid four rebounds and four points on just two shot attempts, there are clearly aspects of his game and ability to rise to the occasion that still need some fine-tuning.
Hopefully all the advertised hard work this summer will pay off big in 2026-27.
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