“They are the disruptors” – Kevin Garnett explains why Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Joe are x-factors to watch in the 2025 Finals originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a lot of work to do after dropping Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals to the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort delivered, but the supporting cast’s performance left a lot to be desired.
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For Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, guys like Chet Holmgreen, Alex Caruso, and Isiah Joe are the x-factors for OKC in the finals. With the Pacers having multiple players contributing in one way or another, the 2004 MVP feels that these are Thunder players who could make a difference.
“Isaiah Joe and Chet to me are the x-factors. Isaiah Joe is real money when he come in the game. Caruso. All three of them, they get right to it on both ends. They are my … they’re my disruptors. When they come in the game, the energy change,” Garnett said on KG Certified.
Holmgreen disappointed in Game 1
Caruso had a decent outing, finishing with 11 points and 6 rebounds – numbers considerably above his averages in the playoffs (8.9 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game). Joe played only 11 minutes but managed to chip in 5 points in Game 1.
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However, the big disappointment in the NBA Finals opener was Holmgreen. Averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the playoffs, the Gonzaga product finished with only 6 points, 6 rebounds, and a block.
As KG pointed out, Chet must maintain his numbers to counter what Myles Turner brings for the Pacers. Turner finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in Game 1 and was one of the players who fought to keep Indiana afloat.
“Turner can actually get you 15-20, two threes, get you some blocks and some rebounds. Chet can too,” the 15-time All-Star said.
After a dismal Game 1, it wasn’t surprising to see fans very disappointed in the performance of the 2nd overall pick of the 2002 Draft. He was virtually a non-factor, enough reason for the 7-foot-1 player to come out and make up for that lackadaisical showing.
Thunder cannot let their guard down
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault will need to dig deep to figure out a way to get his team back in sync. At the top of the list is reminding his players not to let their guard down even if they have a good lead.
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Game 1 shocked everyone, including Gilgeous-Alexander. He admitted that while they led for most of the game, Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning basket was an eye-opener.
“We had control of the game for the most part of it. Now it is a 48-minute game and they teach you that lesson more than anybody else in the league the hard way,” SGA quipped.
Thankfully, the Thunder were brought back to earth this early in the series. It is still a long way to go, and these are humps that SGA and company need to learn from.
Despite the Game 1 loss, the Thunder remain the odds-on favorites to prevail when Game 2 tips off on Sunday, June 8, at the Paycom Center. OKC is expected to give it their all and play until the end. Another breakdown would be catastrophic, something that could shift the tide in Indiana’s favor.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.