The NBA Finals debut for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, key players for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was not as expected.
Both players, selected in the 2022 draft, combined to score 23 points with a poor shooting percentage in the 111-110 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first game.
Generally, performing in the Finals isn’t on the curriculum for third-year players, and they’ve been thrown into that situation, which is a credit to them.
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder coach
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlighted the resilience of his young stars, putting into perspective the challenges faced by Holmgren and Williams.
Williams, 24, and selected to the All-NBA third team, averaged 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during the Western Conference playoffs.Despite some ups and downs along the way, including a streak of inconsistent shooting against the Denver Nuggets, Williams demonstrated his ability to bounce back, shining with 24 points in the decisive seventh game and averaging 22.2 points in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Williams, with 17 points in the first Finals game, embraces the pressure as a privilege and feels prepared to take on responsibilities. Holmgren, with only one and a half seasons of experience due to a foot injury that kept him out for the entire 2022-23 season and a pelvic fracture that caused him to miss almost three months this season, has proven to be an elite defender and an excellent third offensive option, averaging 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game during the Western Conference playoffs.I try to think of myself as someone very uncommon. I don’t think I’m in my third year because that would allow me to make excuses. I should go out and play.
Jalen Williams
However, Holmgren struggled in the first game, scoring only six points. The coach chose not to pair him with Isaiah Hartenstein, which affected his performance.
Holmgren acknowledged that he could have improved on finishing plays near the basket.
