Why Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren’s 2025-26 season differs from the rest

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren is having the best season of his career. With long-term injuries in his rear-view mirror, Holmgren helped the Thunder eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their second-round series. Ahead of the Western Conference Finals, he looked back on why the 2025-26 season has been his most productive year.

Holmgren pointed to experience and health as two catalysts for his best season with the Thunder.

“I’d say physically, I feel a lot better,” Holmgren said. “I’m not going through pretty much any of the stuff I was going through last year, physically. Because of that, I’m able to kind of have a little bit of pop, whether that translates into my shot or just getting up the floor quicker, making a play on the ball a little bit quicker. I think it shows up in a lot of areas. But also, I just feel a lot more calm and settled, knowing what I’m trying to get to.”

Holmgren averaged 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game in the Thunder’s four games against the Lakers.

“You never feel perfect,” Holmgren added. “If you do, that means you’re not out there hitting hard enough. You’re not playing hard enough. So, there’s always bumps and bruises. I can visibly see them a lot of the time. But there’s a big difference between bumps and bruises and kind of what I was going through last year. I’m not dealing with any of that stuff. I’m not just trying to get myself out there for the games.

“I’m really able to prepare and focus on the game more, so rather than my health, which is a blessing. You can’t take it for granted.”

The Thunder will face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.

Experience led to Chet Holmgren’s breakout season for Thunder

Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren earned praise from coach Mark Daigneault amidst their second-round sweep against the Lakers.

“There’s a calmness that comes from experience, but there’s also an urgency that comes with it,” Holmgren said. “With experience, you understand that if you become too relaxed or too settled in, that can also work against you. So, the experience kind of helped me find the right balance of what to have there.”

The Thunder will host the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday.

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