Chet Holmgren's Non-Factor Status Is the Real Problem Nobody's Talking About in These Wild Western Conference Finals

Holy smokes, you guys! This Western Conference Finals series between the Thunder and Spurs? It's gone absolutely bonkers! We're tied up at 2-2 heading into Game 5 tonight, and seriously, this best-of-seven just became a winner-take-all best-of-three. Everyone expected a long series, but things have changed fast, with injuries playing a massive role. The reigning champs were chasing the NBA's first repeat since 2018, but now with some gnarly injury news, it's got everyone scrambling to re-pick who's actually going to face the Knicks in the Finals!

Thunder's Stars Are Hurting, And The Experts Are Split

Here's the gut-punch for the Thunder: they're battling some serious injuries to key players. Jalen Williams is dealing with a strained hamstring and Ajay Mitchell has a strained calf. That's two of their best scorers and shot creators on the sidelines. Even with these setbacks, FanDuel still has the Thunder favored to win the series and the NBA title. But let's be real, that's a tough pill to swallow when you're down two crucial guys. The experts are definitely feeling the heat, with everyone re-picking the series. John Gonzalez is sticking with Thunder in 7. He noted that OKC totally no-showed in Game 4, but they were fantastic in Game 3, even missing Williams and Mitchell then. Alex Caruso, Jared McCain, and Co. put up a franchise playoff record 76 points in Game 3, only for Caruso to somehow fail to score and McCain to go 1-for-10 from the floor in Game 4. James Herbert also philosophically refused to change his Thunder in 7 pick, admitting it looks less likely now. He believes the defending champs can still overcome shaky halfcourt offense by forcing turnovers and getting out in transition.

Wemby's Spurs Are Fearless, But What About Chet Holmgren?

The Spurs, on the other hand, are looking genuinely fearless. Robby Kalland, for one, is calling for Spurs in 6! He thinks this series is a battle of wills, and with Victor Wembanyama being a problem that no one has a long-term solution for, San Antonio can pinch Game 5 on the road and ride a raucous home crowd to a Game 6 win, avoiding a winner-take-all showdown in OKC. Jack Maloney, despite the Thunder's injuries being a big blow, is also sticking with Thunder in 7. He points out they still have the MVP, an elite defense, and home-court advantage. Plus, as bad as Game 4 was, the Spurs didn't exactly drop 150 points on them. He just wants to see better offense alongside that stout defense. Cameron Salerno picked the Spurs, and Sam Quinn picked the Thunder, leaving us totally split. But here’s the kicker, and Gonzalez hit on it: he's "far less concerned about the role players bouncing back than Chet Holmgren basically being a non-factor in the series." That's the stuff that makes you sweat, right? If your big man isn't showing up, that changes everything. So, what's next for this insane series? Game 5 is tonight, and it's basically do-or-die with only two wins separating one of these squads from an NBA Finals trip against the Knicks. Can the reigning champs overcome their injury woes and Chet Holmgren's quiet play to chase that first repeat since 2018, or will Wembanyama and his fearless Spurs shock the league? Get ready, because this is going to be wild!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.