Thunder make surprising lineup change for Game 1 of NBA Finals

Cason Wallace, 21, of the Thunder started Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a 111-110 win by the Indiana Pacers, in place of Isaiah Hartenstein. While the Thunder previously generally relied on their double-big lineup of Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, coach Mark Daigneault went with Wallace, a ferocious defender who started 43 games last season thanks to injuries costing Hartenstein 25 games and Holmgren 50.

After one quarter, that decision looked impeccable. The Thunder led 12-10 when Hartenstein subbed for Wallace and scored seven points the rest of the quarter against the Pacers reserves. But Wallace didn't do a lot offensively himself. He didn't score at all in the first half and finished with six points on 3-for-9 shooting while playing 33 minutes, the fourth-most on his team.

In the regular season, Wallace made 35.6% of his threes, but that mark has dipped to 30.6% in the playoffs. He's only in his second NBA season, so Wallace is still finding his footing in the playoffs. But aside from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 38 points and Lu Dort's 5-for-9 performance from behind the arc, the Thunder didn't get much offense from their guards.

That might mean Hartenstein returns to the starting lineup for Game 2, while Wallace returns to his supersub role. But for a talent like Wallace, Game 1 may have been a wakeup call. Whether he starts the game on or off the bench, expect a far more aggressive Wallace in Game 2.