Chet Holmgren was defended by Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch after struggling in the Western Conference finals series against the San Antonio Spurs. On June 10, 2026, Finch spoke on KFAN-FM, discussing the criticism Holmgren received.
What happened?
Chet Holmgren averaged 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 27.3% shooting from deep in the seven-game series against the Spurs. This was a contrast to his performance in the first two rounds of the postseason.
He averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the opening round. In the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers, also a sweep, Holmgren contributed 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Why it matters for Chet Holmgren
Finch started by discussing Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, who also dealt with criticism from the press. Finch stated that he doesn't listen to criticism, turning off his TV during the playoffs to avoid it.
Chris Finch said, "The criticism around — now we see it, 'Chet Holmgren was no good.' I can't stand these overreactions and these strays." Finch's comments came after Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti defended Holmgren's play.
What comes next?
Sam Presti praised Chet Holmgren's All-Star season and his intrinsic motivation. Presti said, "This is a guy that is intrinsically motivated. He doesn't need people questioning him or things on the internet to drive his improvement."
On Monday, Presti expressed that he's not concerned about Holmgren's performance against the Spurs. Holmgren finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting and became a member of the All-NBA third team.
Chet Holmgren's performance will be closely watched in the upcoming season. With the support of his coaches and general manager, he's expected to bounce back from his struggles in the Western Conference finals.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to build on their postseason run, with Chet Holmgren playing a key role in their success. As the team prepares for the next season, Holmgren's improvement will be crucial to their chances of making a deep playoff run.
On June 10, 2026, the NBA world was talking about Chet Holmgren's struggles, but with the defense from Chris Finch and Sam Presti, he's ready to move forward and prove himself again. Chet Holmgren averaged 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Western Conference finals series against the San Antonio Spurs was a tough test for Chet Holmgren, but he's expected to learn from his experiences and come back stronger. With his intrinsic motivation and the support of his team, Chet Holmgren is ready for the next challenge.