Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off two MVP campaigns and cementing his place as one of this generation’s best, is stepping up in a huge way. He’s shouldering the blame for Chet Holmgren’s underwhelming performance during the 2026 Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs, a move that shows exactly why he’s considered a superb leader.
The Playoff Spotlight Was Brutal for Chet
Look, the expectations for Chet Holmgren were massive heading into that 2026 Western Conference Finals series. As the team’s star big man, everyone was watching him, especially in his matchup against Victor Wembanyama. But the truth is, it was a rough series for Holmgren. He averaged 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game across the full seven-game series. While those numbers might look decent for some players, for Chet, under that spotlight and against Wembanyama, it was disappointing. He was, unfortunately, outplayed by his rival, and he got the majority of the blame for the Spurs loss. You hate to see a guy become the butt of the joke, and it seems SGA feels the same way.
SGA’s Unmatched Leadership Shines Through
This is where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander truly proves he’s one of a kind. He does not want to see Holmgren isolated with the blame. He preaches accountability, not just for others, but for himself too, and he’s living it. “I don’t think it’s on Chet. I carry a lot of the weight,” Gilgeous-Alexander told TIME. Talk about a true leader! He went on to say, “The only way you can truly fail is if you don’t learn from the moment. I know the type of guy he is. And I know what type of worker he is. He’ll definitely do it.” That’s the kind of leadership that builds a cohesive unit, right? It’s not about one person failing, it’s about the collective, and SGA is making sure everyone knows it. This guy consistently delivers, and his teammates know he’s got their back, especially when things get tough.
What does this mean heading into the new season? It means SGA isn’t just a scoring machine, he’s the emotional core of that squad. With that kind of leadership, believing in his teammates and owning the collective outcome, you can bet everyone is going to be fired up to prove that 2026 playoff loss was just a learning moment. Holmgren’s got a leader who believes in him, and that’s exactly what you want to see moving forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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