The Thunder are unveiling a different starting lineup as the NBA Finals get underway tonight, according to OKC beat writer Rylan Stiles. Coach Mark Daigneault is opting for a smaller look, with second-year guard Cason Wallace replacing center Isaiah Hartenstein.
Wallace, a defensive standout, will give Oklahoma City one more weapon to slow the speedy Pacers, who like to wear down opponents by pushing the ball up court throughout the game. Wallace is better equipped than Hartenstein to handle that style of play.
Hartenstein had been a starter for the Thunder in the first 16 games of this year’s playoffs, averaging 9.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per night. He was signed as a free agent last summer to give OKC a larger presence inside and prevent the team from being badly outrebounded like it was against Dallas in last year’s playoffs.
Stiles notes that Daigneault has been relying on a double-big starting lineup with Chet Holmgren alongside Hartenstein. However, he moved away from it quickly in the conference finals against Minnesota, replacing Hartenstein early in games with either Wallace or Alex Caruso.
As Law Murray of The Athletic tweets, the Pacers got off to fast starts against the Thunder in their two regular season meetings and outscored OKC while Hartenstein was on the floor.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort will join Wallace and Holmgren in the starting lineup.
Sheesh, what a master stroke. A+ to the Thunder after 1 half.
Just extremely impressive the way Presti & Co has built this Thunder squad. This current team is almost perfectly constructed, even utilizing lessons they learned from the KD/Russ/Harden days. Speaking of, it’s not just this current squad that’s impressive. Vast majority of what they’ve done since the Ray Allen trade has been smart. Interesting to see if Niko Topic can do a better job of fitting in with the guys than Giddey or Dieng did. I feel like he definitely will & his addition next season will be similar to Kukoc being added to the mid-90’s Bulls. The league is doing a pretty good job of cooking up an antidote in SA tho.
Well, I guess it didnt work lol
Lol, not quite a master stroke. That whole four quarter thing.
You don’t change a starting lineup that brought you to the dance. Being out rebounded 56 to 39 had an impact. Chet getting only 9 shots had an impact…
Bad move.
I am always amazed how most people here always talk with yesterday papers and claim I told you so. The lineup change was the correct move and OKC should have won game 1. If there ever was a stolen win this was the one, Indiana had their only lead for 3 seconds, that must be an all time record. OKC played his game well with great defense, Jdub had a bad offensive game and their overall shooting was poor, they could not capitalized all of those turnovers. Indy is an incredible resilient team, hiding like a snake an biting at the right time.
Just dont play the knowitall with all said and done, speak before, afterwards does not matter