Player of the Week

Chet Holmgren (OKC) is our Player of the Week for the Playoffs - West Semifinals.

Chet Holmgren took control of the series from the opening tip. With Jalen Williams still sidelined by a hamstring strain and the Lakers funneling their entire defensive scheme toward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 7-foot-1 center-forward seized the opportunity without hesitation. In the opener, he dominated the paint with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, including six dunks, forcing JJ Redick to concede that OKC's offensive rebounds were "killing" his team on every possession. Mark Daigneault described Holmgren as "a bottomless pit when it comes to his work ethic."

Game 2 confirmed the trend. When SGA had to sit early in the third quarter due to foul trouble, Holmgren carried the load with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in the period alone. He finished with 22 points (7/11 from the field, 3/5 from three), 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Daigneault did not hold back: "There's nothing he can't do. When the lights are on, he's at his best."

In Los Angeles for Game 3, Holmgren continued his work with 18 points and 9 rebounds while Ajay Mitchell exploded for a career-high 24 points. OKC delivered a 33-20 third quarter to put the game away. Across the three games, Holmgren shot 59.5% from the field and 45.5% from three, well above his season averages of 55.7% FG and 36.2% from deep. His two-way versatility, anchored by 2 blocks per game, left the Lakers' frontcourt with no answers.

The defending champions, owners of the NBA's best record at 64-18, hold a 25.1% championship probability in our model. With three consecutive wins by 18 points or more, OKC has reinforced its status as the clear favorite for a historic back-to-back title.