Former NBA player Channing Frye has come out and stated the Indiana Pacers were targeting a star player on the OKC Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The Indiana Pacers stole Game 1 on the road after Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning shot to give Rick Carlisle’s men a 111-110 win.
Haliburton, who came out with an iconic line from Michael Jordan’s shoe commercial after the Game 1 heroics, was appreciated by his teammates for yet another clutch shot.
The 25-year-old joins an elite company of players like Reggie Miller and LeBron James, both of whom have the most go-ahead or game-winning field goals within the last five seconds of the game.
OKC Thunder, on the other hand, got another brilliant night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he scored 38 points.
However, the other stars on the Thunder did not get going against the Pacers, especially Chet Holmgren.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesChanning Frye thinks Pacers targeted OKC Thunder’s Holmgren
Former NBA player Channing Frye stated that Holmgren was not able to give his best in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Holmgren scored six points and grabbed just six boards on 2-9 shooting from the field.
He played only 23 minutes in the game, as the Pacers continued doubling and putting him in mismatches.
“I felt like each series, or each game, they’re going to put a player under duress, and certain players are going to step up, and certain players are going to get exposed,” said Frye when talking about Holmgren’s performance.
“And tonight, it was Chet. I’m not saying it’s going to happen every game, but tonight, to get a win, they went at Chet to get a double team.”
He also added: “Everyone else was doing solid, and he just didn’t do enough today to sustain what they needed and keep the Pacers from going on a run.”
Chet Holmgren will step up for OKC Thunder
Holmgren has been an instrumental part of the Thunder team throughout the regular season and playoffs.
His two-way ability is elite, and his teammate Gilgeous-Alexander even called him a winning player after his elite performance in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 23-year-old has been brilliant throughout the playoffs, averaging 15.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 1.9 BPG.
He has scored a few important baskets and has also protected the paint well in big matchups.
Although Game 1 was a worrying performance, Holmgren is expected to step up in the next matchup and help the Thunder get over the line.