Watch: Thunder rookie shuts down Kyrie Irving in the clutch

Wallace also made a huge three to cut the Thunder's deficit to five with 7:33 left in the game.

Wallace earned a reputation for being a lockdown defender in college, averaging 1.97 steals per game, showing elite instincts and the ability to switch onto bigger players and guard in space. That's why many scouts and pundits praised Thunder GM Sam Presti for using the 2023 No. 10 overall pick on Wallace over higher-recruited and more offensively skilled players such as Gradey Dick and Jett Howard.

Many analysts and fans are calling for the Thunder to start Wallace over Josh Giddey for the remainder of the playoffs, in light of the latter's poor performances. The Australian is averaging just 6.0 points and 2.3 assists against Dallas as OKC's starting guard while shooting 18 percent from three.