Chet Holmgren’s stagnant Game 7—just four points and four rebounds while attempting only two shots and taking none in the second half—drew sharp on-air criticism from Reggie Miller as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 and advanced to
Saturday night had the crisp, unforgiving feel of a Game 7 that decides everything—and for Chet Holmgren, the ending looked like a disappearing act.
The San Antonio Spurs punched their ticket to the NBA Finals with a 111-103 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. It was a night the stars mostly showed up. The Spurs had seven players finish in double figures. and back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 35 points. setting the pace for Oklahoma City.
But Holmgren didn’t follow the script. In 32 minutes, he finished with four points and four rebounds—arguably the most disappointing output of anyone on the floor. His shooting was nearly nonexistent: he attempted only two shots all game. and after failing to find anything early. he didn’t take a single shot in the second half.
That absence from the Thunder’s offense became a point of frustration not just for viewers, but for the broadcast itself. Reggie Miller, calling the game alongside Mike Tirico and Jamal Crawford for NBC, leaned into the criticism as Holmgren kept struggling to make an impact.
During the third quarter, Miller didn’t mince words. “He’s the second-best player,” Miller said. “I’m looking for him tonight to get involved — he’s nowhere to be found.”
As the game wore on and Holmgren remained stuck, Miller pressed the point again in the fourth. “I mean, he hasn’t even attempted a shot in this second half. You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said.
Holmgren, though, wasn’t some mystery performer who’d disappeared out of nowhere. He put together the best season of his young career, earning both All-Star and All-NBA honors. This series was the exception—one that he couldn’t crack. with the defensive presence of Wembanyama seeming to disrupt him enough to keep him from finding an offensive rhythm.
In the end, what happened on the floor mattered most: the Thunder couldn’t get the production they needed when it counted, and Holmgren’s lack of involvement helped turn a close game into a late gap. Oklahoma City fell short when it mattered most, and the Spurs moved on to the NBA Finals.
San Antonio Spurs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 7 Western Conference Finals Chet Holmgren Reggie Miller Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Victor Wembanyama NBA Finals
Holmgren really disappeared, huh.
Reggie was cooking him on TV. Like how you only take 2 shots all game and then none in the 2nd half?? That’s wild. Spurs just played smarter I guess.
Wait I thought Chet was supposed to be unstoppable? 4 points doesn’t feel real for him. Also the article says Wemby disrupted him but like, idk, maybe OKC didn’t pass it to him enough? Seems like both sides are acting surprised.
I don’t even get why they’re acting like Holmgren “can’t crack” anything. If you’re good you take the shots, end of story. And Shai scoring 35 doesn’t mean the rest should just vanish. Also Game 7 has “everything decides everything” energy but broadcasters always sensationalize it. Reggie going in like that probably didn’t help either tbh.