Thunder Make Unexpected Change Amid Timberwolves Series

Hartenstein had started every game in the series and logged over 19 minutes in each of the first three matchups. Caruso, however, had played 21 or more minutes in most of the games so far despite coming off the bench.

No official explanation was given for the change, but the shift from a big man to a guard hints at a possible strategic adjustment. Still, it was an unexpected call to make mid-game with so much on the line.

Caruso appeared in 54 games during the regular season, averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds. He started only three games all year. Now in his seventh NBA season, the 6-foot-5 guard from Texas A&M has made his name as a tough, defensive-minded role player.

Hartenstein, on the other hand, bypassed college basketball and entered the league straight from overseas. He was selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets after spending time with Zalgiris Kaunas.

Daigneault is in his fifth full season as Oklahoma City’s head coach. After missing the playoffs in each of his first three years, he has turned the team around with a 115-39 record over the past two seasons. The Thunder were eliminated in the conference semifinals last year by the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

Game 5 of the Western Conference finals is set for Wednesday in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will look to take a 3-2 lead in the series.