NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 15, 2025

Chet Holmgren

Oklahoma City Thunder

Practice Day

Q. Now that we’re down to a best-of-three series, is it more about tactical preparation or emotional preparation?

CHET HOLMGREN: It doesn't change from Game 1 to Game 5. It's kind of a mixture of both, you have to do what you have to do to make sure that you're trying to get the X's and O's right and mentally put yourself in the right space to compete and try to make the right plays. So it's a mix of both.

Q. You had some great defensive moments on switches late in Game 4. What's the key to you staying who you are and getting those stops?

CHET HOLMGREN: Really just trying to be in the moment, think what the game needed and try to make a winning play from there. You know, having faith that even though it's not promised, that you're going to make the right play if you try and stack up all the right things and a good outcome will come out of it.

Fortunately enough, we were able to do that. My stops were a big part of the end of the game. Shai hit big free throws. We had great execution, great box-outs, great rebounds and close possessions. It was kind of a little bit of everything.

Q. What kind of impact are you looking to make going into Game 5?

CHET HOLMGREN: Just trying to put my fingerprints all over the game on both ends. You know, go out there, be aggressive, look to score, but look to make the right play when it presents itself and then you know really execute on the other end. You know, both with rebounding, coverages, individual defense, whatever the game needs, I just try and execute that.

Q. Did you guys see anything on the film that would explain why you weren't able to generate a lot of threes and three-point attempts and had a subpar game from that point?

CHET HOLMGREN: Me personally, I feel like it wasn't a matter of trying to get threes. I think we were just clanking them honestly. I'm a big believer in law of averages. We have a lot of really good shooters on this team. I have faith it will come back around.

Q. Is there a different comfort level going into Game 5 versus early games in the series?

CHET HOLMGREN: I wouldn't say there's ever a level of comfort at this point of the season and this stage. You have to play on edge every time you go out there. If you feel comfortable, that's probably not a good thing right now.

Q. It’s crazy to see the physical toll it takes to get to this point. Can you share some thoughts playing this late into the season and thinking about what you expect physically?

CHET HOLMGREN: If you think it's crazy to see it, it's way crazier to feel it. It's definitely a toll on the body. But if it was easy, everybody would get here. It's just part of it. That's one of the challenges that show up. But I don't think anybody here would trade it for being two months into their offseason and feeling good on a beach somewhere.