Chet Holmgren struggled in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in seven games against the San Antonio Spurs.

What happened?

The Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren took just two shots and tallied four points in the Thunder's Game 7 loss.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defended his teammate, saying he won't talk to Holmgren about his underperformance.

Why it matters for Chet Holmgren

Holmgren's regression in the Western Conference Finals was alarming, given his 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks average in last year's championship run.
He looked terrified to attack Victor Wembanyama whenever the two were matched up.

What comes next?

Gilgeous-Alexander has no doubt Holmgren will figure things out and improve.
The current version of Holmgren seen in the Western Conference Finals was "the worst version" fans will ever see, according to Gilgeous-Alexander.
Holmgren's experience against the Spurs could motivate him to be better going forward.
And his numbers against the Spurs were a significant drop from his usual performance.
But fans will have to see it to believe it, given how poorly he played.
The Thunder's loss in the Western Conference Finals was a disappointing end to their season.
Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters he cares about the game and wants to be the best version of himself every night.
So does Holmgren, who will likely use this experience as motivation.
Holmgren's performance in the Western Conference Finals was a surprise, given his talent and previous success.
The Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was a tough matchup for Holmgren, who struggled to attack him.
Gilgeous-Alexander's defense of Holmgren is a testament to their teamwork and camaraderie.
But Holmgren's improvement is crucial for the Thunder's success next season.
The Thunder's fans are eager to see Holmgren bounce back from his poor performance.
And Holmgren is likely to work hard in the offseason to improve his game.
His performance in the Western Conference Finals was a learning experience.
The Thunder will need Holmgren to play better if they want to make a deep playoff run next season.