It's been a dominant season for Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024-25 season.
After finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA, the team went into the postseason with a chip on their shoulder.
A second-round playoff exit in 2024 fueled the Thunder's dominant run in 2025, powering them through the Western Conference and into the NBA Finals.
Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk to the media after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
After sealing their ticket, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Finals, players were given a chance to talk with interviewers.
Thunder center Chet Holmgren spoke with the press leading up to the Thunder's first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, and opened up about his early-season struggles.
Holmgren was only able to play in 32 regular season games after sustaining a right pelvic fracture on November 10 against the Warriors.
He was asked about the time he missed on Saturday.
"The thing that pops into my mind is it was (expletive) up. … But we have such an opportunity in front of us that I’m not even really focused on that," he told reporters.
After returning in February after nearly three months of recovering, Holmgren's been a major piece to the Thunder's playoff run.
In the 16 games he's played this postseason, he's averaged 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) makes a pass against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) makes a pass against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7)
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
It's been impressive seeing Holmgren return from such a significant injury this season, and it seems that he's determined to take on whichever team comes out of the Eastern Conference.
The NBA Finals will begin on Thursday, June 5 as the Thunder will play host to the winner between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.