Chet Holmgren Missing Oklahoma City’s Star Duo the Most
The Thunder big man is missing the creation ability from Oklahoma City’s sidelined duo.
Oklahoma City has struggled mightily without its top two players over the last three games. That’s to be expected, though. What team wouldn’t struggle down their best offensive scoring options?
Not only is the team struggling in the win column, but individual players are struggling without floor spacing and added creation. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams draw loads of attention and create almost everything for the Thunder’s offense. Without the duo, it feels like there’s something missing from Oklahoma City’s scheme. The supporting cast is having to find new roles on the fly and struggling to create at the level that Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams do.
In particular, Chet Holmgren has struggled without the Thunder’s top two options. Recently, he had found plenty of success in the pick-and-roll with both Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander, and it seemed like chemistry was building. Both elite drivers, the floor started to open up for Holmgren and he was finding his spots with ease.
He had a solid outing in Philadelphia last week, but looked uncomfortable against both Boston and Indiana. Over the last two games, Holmgren is averaging 13 points on 34.6% from the floor. He’s also just 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
Holmgren has been the clear missing piece for the Thunder this season, there’s no doubt about it. He has unlocked this team’s full potential. The reason it fits so well, though, is because he perfectly compliments Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. When there’s not as much creation and the floor shortens up, it’s hard for Holmgren to find his normal groove.
He’s more than capable of heating up at any point, and he’s had a few big time scoring nights already this year. But Holmgren is at his best next to Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams.
When Oklahoma City is fully healthy once again, Holmgren will benefit the most from it.
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