The pride of Gonzaga inches closer to an NBA Finals appearance, which hasn’t been done by a Zag since Kelly Olynyk with the Miami Heat in 2020.
After getting his sixth career playoff double-double in the Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets, Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. The young and talented group looks like the clear favorite to win the NBA Finals after both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics were upset in the Eastern Conference.
Through 11 postseason appearances, Holmgren is averaging 15.7 points on a shooting split of 45.4 field goal percentage/32.1 three-point percentage/77.6 free throw percentage to go along with 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He has been excelling on the glass during this playoff run and always seems to find himself in the dunker spot. Holmgren did struggle matching up defensively with Aaron Gordon at times during the semifinals and it will be interesting to see how he can size up against the likes of Julius Randle.
Up next for the Thunder is the Minnesota Timberwolves, Holmgren’s hometown team. He couldn’t be more excited to play in front of family and friends in the most important part of his professional career.
“It’s amazing. You know growing up, Minnesota was never in the playoffs so that atmosphere was never really there in the city. So I’m sure it’s insane right now, but it’ll be great to be able to play (home).” – Chet Holmgren
As long as Holmgren continues to stay healthy and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander plays at the MVP level he has been at all season, Oklahoma City looks unstoppable. Game 1 is on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.
“You know who this is? The MVP.”
Chet letting the world know about SGA after OKC advances ⚡ pic.twitter.com/3LHWDBvq5z
— ESPN (@espn) May 18, 2025
As for the Indiana Pacers, they’re preparing for their series with the New York Knicks with Game 1 on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. PT on TNT/Max. It’s looking more and more like Andrew Nembhard and Holmgren will see each other in the NBA Finals. If not, Gonzaga will still be well-represented on the largest stage with New York’s Anton Watson. Here are all the Zags that have reached that far:
Utah Jazz’s John Stockton – two NBA Finals appearance (1997, 1998)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison – NBA champion (2009, 2010)
Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf – NBA champion (2012)
San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye – NBA champion (2014)
Miami Heat’s Kelly Olynyk – one NBA Finals appearance (2020)
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho