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Chet Holmgren is highly optimistic about the Oklahoma City Thunder's chances in the 2026 NBA playoffs. He enters the playoffs in top form, having improved significantly since his rookie season.
Apr 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and center Chet Holmgren (7) laugh after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
If the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to become back-to-back NBA champions, they can't rely on last year's formula to repeat the same results. It'd be like taking a test at the beginning of the semester and expecting the final to lay out the same way.
Running it back with mostly the same group, the Thunder will likely need to rely on different sets of characters to bring home another Larry O'Brien trophy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will do what he usually does as a walking 30-point machine, but the supporting cast might need to tune things up differently.
One way to do that? Chet Holmgren. Of his three playoff runs with the Thunder, this is the best he's looked entering Round 1. In 2024, he was a rookie center, learning the ropes. In 2025, he had to learn on the fly to play at around 70% capacity after missing three months with a hip fracture.
Now, Holmgren is playing the best basketball of his career. He's on his way to first-time honors like All-NBA and an All-Defensive Team spot. He should also finish as runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year — only trailing Victor Wembanyama in that category.
If the Thunder want to win another NBA championship, they likely need Holmgren to be Gilgeous-Alexander's new Robin. That was ' role last year. But injuries have limited him to just 33 games this past regular season. He'll need more time to sharpen his skills — specifically with his outside jumper. Until then, the seven-footer should be able to carry the load on both ends of the floor.
Chet Holmgren's specific playoff statistics for 2026 are not detailed, but he is noted to be in his best form entering the playoffs.
In previous playoffs, Holmgren faced challenges as a rookie in 2024 and played at 70% capacity in 2025 due to a hip fracture.
The Thunder are expected to adjust their strategy and rely on different players to enhance their chances of winning back-to-back championships.
Key players for the Thunder include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who are crucial for the team's success.

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“I’m extremely excited. Last year was very challenging. I don’t think I felt the best physically. I feel really good right now," Holmgren said. "I'm excited to get out there and play. Get this thing going."
The Thunder saw Holmgren save his best basketball of last season for their NBA playoff run. This year, he should be able to add more to his plate. The 23-year-old has been on a roll. Unlike previous years, his outside jumper has remained sharp entering this stage of the season. He's shot 39.7% from 3 on 3.4 attempts since the NBA All-Star break.
If that carries over to the NBA playoffs, the Thunder suddenly gain somebody else who can pop off for an efficient 20-plus points. It won't be off isolation looks and breaking down defenders with his handle, per se — like Gilgeous-Alexander — but the seven-footer is OKC's best play-finisher as a lob threat and catch-and-shoot weapon.
"I've played two years in the playoffs now, so I've learned so much from just those experiences. I'm excited to have more experiences," Holmgren said. "Get to learn from them. Whether I've played in 10 years of playoffs or just two, as I have so far, I'm always going to be learning and gaining experience."
It'll be a big playoff run for Holmgren. The advanced metrics and winning rate paint him as one of the NBA's best 15 players. And while conventional wisdom is still playing catch-up to that, the general NBA-sphere can finally learn just how great he is with another playoff run that ends in a second championship in four seasons.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Chet Holmgren 'extremely excited' for 2026 NBA playoffs