The NBA postseason is all about in-series adjustments, but the Thunder are getting ahead of that with an adjustment before the NBA Finals begin.
To the surprise of some, Oklahoma City is making its first starting lineup change of the playoffs as it prepares to host the Pacers in Game 1 of the Finals. The lineup adjustment sees second-year guard Cason Wallace in the lineup in place of center Isaiah Hartenstein.
OKC had gone with the same starting unit for the first 16 games of the playoffs, employing its go-to unit in series victories over the Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Timberwolves. With Indiana presenting unique challenges, the Thunder are going with a different look.
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— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 6, 2025
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Here's what to know about the Thunder's lineup change.
Thunder starting lineup change Game 1 vs. Pacers
Mark Daigneault is replacing Hartenstein with Wallace in the starting lineup. The move adjusts to the Pacers' perimeter-heavy scheme, headlined by the backcourt duo of Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard.
Here is OKC's starting unit in full: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
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The lineup started six games together during the 2024-25 season, as pointed out by NBA stats extraordinaire, Tom Haberstroh. They went 6-0 as starters during the regular season and outscored opponents by 22 points in 26 minutes this postseason.
Wallace, 21, is making the first postseason start of his career. He started in 43 games during the regular season, posting averages of 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in those games.
The move makes the Thunder more perimeter-oriented, as Holmgren is attempting 4.5 3s per game. He'll now do so from the center position, matching stylistically with Indiana's stretch big man, Myles Turner.
Daigneault's change is also a proactive move to account for the Pacers' high-paced offensive attack. Hartenstein is far from a lumbering big man, but inserting Wallace into the lineup makes OKC a much more fluid unit, especially in the open floor.
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