Chet Holmgren’s struggles against Victor Wembanyama have become one of the defining stories of the 2026 NBA Western Conference finals, as the Oklahoma City Thunder head into Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs with the series tied and the pressure rising. After the Spurs won Game 4 to even the matchup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked how the Thunder can get Holmgren more involved offensively. His long pause before answering reflected the bigger issue: Oklahoma City knows the answer is not just about positioning. Holmgren needs to be more forceful, more assertive and more effective against Wembanyama.
Holmgren, an All-NBA selection and a key part of the Thunder’s two-way identity, has not produced at his regular-season level in the series. Through four games, he is averaging 11.3 points on 46.9 percent shooting, well below his usual numbers and far short of the output he showed in the previous round against the Lakers. In Oklahoma City’s two losses, he has totaled just 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting, and he has been outscored by role players such as Alex Caruso and Jared McCain in parts of the series. The Thunder’s offense has also been affected by the absence of Jalen Williams, and Game 4’s loss to San Antonio underscored how much the team needs Holmgren to help carry the load.
The matchup with Wembanyama has been especially difficult. Holmgren and Wembanyama have long been compared as elite young frontcourt talents, and their rivalry stretches back to teenage FIBA competition. But in this series, Wembanyama has clearly had the upper hand. Holmgren has not consistently made the contest a real battle, and his reluctance or inability to impose himself has allowed the Spurs star to dictate the tone inside. Wembanyama’s shot blocking, length and willingness to challenge Holmgren at the rim have limited Oklahoma City’s big man in ways that go beyond scoring.
Still, the Thunder do not view Holmgren’s problems as a reason for concern about his character or competitive spirit. Gilgeous-Alexander praised him as a player with no ego and complete commitment to winning, saying Holmgren will give maximum effort when the Thunder need him most. Holmgren himself said after Game 4 that he always expects more from himself and sees opportunities where he can be better. That self-awareness matters, but Oklahoma City needs more than reflection.
With the series now down to a best-of-three and home-court advantage back in the Thunder’s favor, Game 5 is a chance for Holmgren to respond. The game’s pressure will continue to narrow the margin for role players, and the stars will be expected to decide the outcome. For Oklahoma City, Holmgren must reclaim his impact, attack Wembanyama with confidence and become a factor on both ends if the Thunder are going to keep their title chase alive and protect the foundation of a potential dynasty.
