The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs 122-115 in double overtime with Chet Holmgren scoring eight points and taking seven shots. The 7’1 big man dominated the Lakers in the last round, but the struggles were made worse by the way Chet played. He didn’t match up against Victor Wembanyama and looked hesitant in a showdown where the Thunder need him to play like a star.
Wemby takes this rivalry personally. He had 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks in 49 minutes of action. The Spurs superstar was the best player on the floor and made sure his team won Game 1 in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder were right there. They overcame a slow start to force the game into overtime. OKC pushed the game to double overtime, but came up short. Fans shouldn’t panic about the result. The Thunder could have won, but they will need more from Chet to take this series. After Game 1, it doesn’t look like he will provide it.
Chet Holmgren’s Game 1 struggles should cause the Thunder to panic
Wemby won Rookie of the Year over Chet. He defeated him for Defensive Player of the Year this season. The French superstar wants to beat Holmgren at everything. Fans saw him reacting to Chet on several occasions in Game 1. This is a massive spot for Holmgren to get one up on his rival.
It doesn’t look possible after Monday night. Holmgren wasn’t even guarding Wemby. The Thunder were using Alex Caruso and Jalen Williams, despite the height disparity. Head coach Mark Daigneault quickly went away from the double big man look. Isaiah Hartenstein played just 12 minutes. It was Holmgren on the floor, and his performance got people talking.
The fact that Chet Holmgren hasn’t guarded Wemby all game tells you everything you need to know. ðŸ˜
— Mario A Maitland (@MarioMaitland_3) May 19, 2026
I’ve been watching Chet play since he was 15 years old
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) May 19, 2026
This is the worst game I’ve seen him play. He looks petrified out there
Chet was very bad tonight.
— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) May 19, 2026
The seven shots in a 58-minute game is worse than the eight points. If he was firing away and missing, that is one thing. Holmgren was rarely involved. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled in Game 1, despite history being on his side. OKC needed Chet even more, but he was nonexistent.
Will Holmgren be better in Game 2? Thunder fans should be worried. It looks like Wemby is in his head, and he might be the only one. The Spurs big man had OKC second-guessing shots and trying to figure out how to slow him down all night. The Thunder pushed it to double overtime, but Wembanyama still delivered the dagger.
Oklahoma City needs Chet to average 18 points and nine rebounds in this series. When playing smaller, his rebounding and rim protection are even more important. This is the series for him to shine. He can’t back down from Wemby. Holmgren is a champion and already on pace to be a legend. That case only improves if he vanquishes his biggest rival here.
Oklahoma City Thunder and their fans should be worried about Chet Holmgren. His Game 1 struggles looked like a problem that is here to stay. The Thunder need him to be better to defeat the Spurs. There is no question. Fans may not have faith in a bounce back, but OKC needs it. Stay tuned to see if Chet answers the bell.
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