Thunder’s Cason Wallace Starts NBA Finals Game 1 Versus Pacers

Cason Wallace was promoted to the starting lineup for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, replacing Isaiah Hartenstein as part of a strategic shift to a smaller lineup. At 21 years old, Wallace became the youngest player to start an NBA Finals game since 2020 and made his first career playoff start. The Thunder's coaching staff made this decision to better match up defensively, particularly to help guard the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, with other guards like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso also contributing defensively. Wallace had modest stats in the game, contributing six points, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal in 33 minutes, but the move also led to Chet Holmgren shifting to center to provide floor spacing and defensive versatility. Despite a less impressive performance in the previous series against the Timberwolves, where he averaged 5.0 points off the bench, the Thunder opted for this lineup change to gain an edge in the Finals. It remains uncertain if Wallace will retain the starting role in Game 2.