Presti Defends Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander After Thunder's Second-Round Loss to Spurs

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti defended center Chet Holmgren and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during a postseason news conference that lasted more than 100 minutes on Monday, June 8, 2026. " Holmgren earned first-team All-Star honors, finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was named to the third-team All-NBA during the 2025-26 season, Presti said.

The Thunder advanced toward the Western Conference finals largely because of Holmgren's play in their series against the Lakers, according to Presti.

7 points per game in the seven-game series loss to the Spurs. He attempted only three three-pointers in the final four games of that series and finished Game 7 with four points and four rebounds on two shots. "This is a guy that is intrinsically motivated," Presti said of Holmgren.

Presti described Holmgren as an "underdog" and said he remained confident in the center's future with the team. Presti also addressed criticism directed at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for drawing fouls. "He's playing against six people," Presti said.

Gilgeous-Alexander plays alongside four or five All-NBA defensive players and received three technical fouls during the season, none for complaining, Presti said. One of those technicals came after Gilgeous-Alexander waved a towel in support of a seldom-used teammate who made a shot. 5 percent of challenged foul calls, Presti said.

That placed him tied for eighth in the league, behind only Jaylen Brown and Victor Wembanyama. 7 million, just below the luxury-tax threshold. 2 million contract extensions that begin next season and are projected to push the team's payroll above $250 million, deep into the luxury tax and past the second apron.