Victor Wembanyama dominated Chet Holmgren during a pivotal Game 7 Western Conference Finals matchup. The lopsided performance sparked a critique from Kendrick Perkins regarding Holmgren’s competitive spirit, claiming he was hesitant in his play.

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, during the final game between the Spurs and the Thunder, Holmgren attempted only two field goals. Perkins, speaking on ESPN the same day, claimed that Holmgren was scared in Game 7, per a video uploaded to X by Oh No He Didn't. 

“Chet Holmgren was a complete no-show. Not just in Game 7 but all throughout the course of this series. Wemby straight up not only punked him but he took his heart, he snatched his soul. Chet Holmgren was scared to compete.”

Holmgren, expected to be the second-best player on the team in Jalen Williams’s absence, didn’t even cross a 20-point mark in seven games.

Perkins believes that Holmgren's hesitation to score comes from Wemby's strong defense, with Wemby averaging 3.7 blocks in the postseason.

The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year disallowed reliable scorers like Holmgren from making baskets. This leaves the Thunder with some big questions in this offseason.

According to Perkins, the Thunder's General Manager, Sam Presti, needs to find solutions for his talented big man. 

“Now Sam Presti has real decision to make when it comes to Chet Holmgren. …You gotta go find a guy like a Giannis Antetokounmpo that's gonna come in and move the needle and be able to go toe to toe in some capacity with Wembanyama because Chet Holmgren ain’t it,” Big Perk added.

This pattern began in the regular season, where the Spurs went 4-1 vs. the Thunder. Chet, however, refutes Perkins' claims, focusing on more of a team narrative.

Chet Holmgren Addresses His Matchup With Victor Wembanyama

Holmgren hadn’t had an outstanding performance in this series. Many expected Holmgren to finally have an explosive performance in Game 7.

Thunder star seemed to avoid going against the Spurs star. After the game, a reporter asked Holmgren about his matchup with the Frenchman.

“At the end of the day, it’s about us trying to win a basketball game... The Thunder team trying to win a basketball game,” he said, denying claims of a one-on-one contest. “That's what it's always gonna be."

While Holmgren pushed back on the reports that he was avoiding Wemby, his game spoke differently in Game 7.

During a play in the fourth quarter, Holmgren received the ball with Wemby in front of him. Holmgren passed the ball, received it again, and fell on the floor, leading to an awkward pass to Jared McCain.

This wasn’t an isolated play when Chet avoided going against Wemby. It happened on multiple plays throughout the game.

Do you think Chet Holmgren's failure in Game 7 cost the Thunder the WCF series? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Surjo Ray