OKLAHOMA CITY — Although Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren is coming off a breakout season, his lowly performance in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs is what NBA fans remember most about 2025-26. Holmgren's four-point dud against Victor Wembanyama ended the Thunder's first title defense last season.

Looking back on his offseason, Holmgren compared it to how he approached the one prior, following the Thunder championship run, and that there wasn't a difference between the two.

“I learned a lot from the year that we won it. I honestly think that my approach was very similar. Obviously, the emotions of it were different, but I don’t think my process changed at all,” Holmgren said. “After we won it, obviously, it's good emotions. You're at the highest of highs, but at some point, which was still relatively pretty quick, you have to flush those emotions and look at the reality of what tape is, and then figure out how you can improve on those things.

“I'd say that was no different after last season. Obviously, different emotions, but you still have to get to a baseline where you can look at things objectively, and then figure out how improve.”

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Thunder's Chet Holmgren, who earned his first All-Star selection last season, made the All-NBA Third Team in only his third active season since he was drafted second overall in 2022, missing the 2022-23 season due to injury. Now, Holmgren could be on the cusp of taking another leap in his development this upcoming season.

Holmgren posted career-bests in points (17.1), rebounds (8.9), and field-goal percentage (55.7%) in 2026-27.