The Thunder voiced support for second-year center Chet Holmgren Tuesday, a day after missed free throws contributed to a narrow loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.
Holmgren missed two free throws with 9.5 seconds left that would have given Oklahoma City a three-point lead. Moments later, Denver forward Aaron Gordon made a three-pointer that sealed the Nuggets 121-119 win.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he had a personal conversation with Holmgren after the game. He offered a public show of support for the big man.
"He’s the last guy I’m worried about. As a competitor, the last guy," Daigneault said. He expressed confidence Holmgren would move on from the difficult finish before Game 2.
Teammates echoed the coach’s sentiment. Guard Jalen Williams said the missed shots were not the sole reason for the loss. He noted various factors contributed to the outcome.
Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander described the loss as a bump in the road. He said the team would find out what they are made of by responding to the setback.
Despite the late-game outcome, Holmgren contributed elsewhere in Game 1. He finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and four blocked shots. He also spent time defending Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
Daigneault acknowledged the challenge Holmgren faced against Jokic. He called it a "length-versus-strength battle" but said the team feels good about the matchup.
The loss means the Thunder gave up home-court advantage in the series opener. The team faces pressure to respond in Game 2.
"There’s nothing we can do about what just happened," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "All we can do is be better for the next game, and that’s what we’re focused on."
